Streams in the Negevhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com
Isaiah 41:17-20 "A site of a thankful soul who has found living water to drink from the true God of Israel"Tue, 19 Feb 2019 10:42:58 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.3Chosen People, or Myth?https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/chosen-people-or-myth/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/chosen-people-or-myth/#respondSun, 17 Feb 2019 09:03:23 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6587Continue reading "Chosen People, or Myth?"]]>Those who would make the Creation account given in Gen 1 and 2 (and even the history thru ch. 11) in the Hebrew Bible a myth open the door for those who say that it is a myth that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people: the Jews created their own God and myth to compete with, and separate from, the other gods and myths of pagan nations. (What a powerful myth!) They would be in agreement — knowingly or not — with those who claim that there is no God who intervenes in human affairs, no center of the universe or of this spherical Earth, and that there is no “specialness” of any thing, not even human beings, whom God uniquely created in His image and in His likeness. God has a plan and a purpose for His creation, and redemption to accomplish it is at the heart of it from before the beginning.

But YHVH God has chosen this planet as His focal point in the universe which He created; He has chosen a particular man — Abram/Abraham — through whom He promised with a covenant and an oath a chosen people — through His choice of Isaac and of Jacob — and an inheritance, and to be a blessing to all the families of the Earth — and towards whom all people would be held to account; He has chosen a particular land — the Land of Canaan — for that inheritance; He has chosen a particular city — Jerusalem — within this chosen Land of Israel as His city; He has chosen a particular tribe — Judah — through whom the King whom He has chosen will establish His righteous kingdom when He comes again, with His elect saints, from that city in that land over all the Earth and nations; He has chosen a particular person of that tribe — David — to whom He promised in covenant and with an oath that this King Messiah would come from him; He has appointed one mediator between Himself and humanity — Yeshua the Messiah/Jesus Christ, the unique and beloved Son of God — and one way of salvation through the forgiveness of sins in order to be justified for inheriting all of these great and precious promises, and especially eternal life together with Him: repent and believe the gospel — that Yeshua died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, all according to the Scriptures, which are Holy Spirit/God-breathed inspiration written through chosen men of His choice.

Our God is holy, and He is Sovereign. He is the God of Truth. Nor is He a liar or a deceiver, which the devil is both. All myths and false narratives will fail. This Heaven and Earth will pass away, but His word will never pass away!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/chosen-people-or-myth/feed/0The Gap Between Believing God’s Word _______ and Human Wisdomhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/christianity/the-gap-between-believing-gods-word-and-human-wisdom/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/christianity/the-gap-between-believing-gods-word-and-human-wisdom/#respondSat, 26 Jan 2019 21:15:54 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6578Continue reading "The Gap Between Believing God’s Word _______ and Human Wisdom"]]>We are influenced by the world we are born into much more than we realize. Young children today have an intuitive grasp of some modern technology than many adults who are their parents and grandparents. The current generation is also entering and growing up in a world that is increasingly ignorant of the true God and of His Word, of His covenants, and with an evolutionary mindset and world-view that has displaced a general consensus of the fundamental truths of morality expressed in the Bible, even within the household of faith (at least in the western, Christianized, gospelized world). We have a natural tendency to subject God’s word to the teachings of men – or to the lies of the devil – rather than to subject all things to the Word of God. If we do not believe what God says about the beginning, we may not believe what He also actually says about the ending. If we twist His words at first, we will probably continue to twist them at last.

Many believing Christians want to accept evolutionary “facts” as a means by which God created and made the world as it has “evolved” to be. Mostly they do this because of the amount of time they think is needed to “evolve” to where we are today. Yet, the issue is much more than a matter of time: the evolutionary explanation of origins and destiny are totally incompatible with what YHVH God has revealed to us – especially through the Jews – regarding what He alone knows: He IS the Creator, and the Redeemer, and has a plan that He is carrying out, no matter what anyone may believe or not. “Let God be true, and every man a liar!”

For those who “keep and remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”: if you do not believe that God created the Heavens and the Earth in six days, and rested on the seventh, then you are not keeping the Sabbath, since this is the initial reason He gave it to Israel as the sign of His covenant relationship with them. And the Jewish people are His witnesses for who He is. This is so, also, for believing Christians, since they are in a new covenant relationship with the God of Israel, YHVH God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob/Israel. We bear false witness of Him if we deny His own testimony of what He did, how He did it, when He did it, why He has done it! The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world!

When God, who is unapproachable light, created in the beginning the Heavens and the Earth, the “raw material” was in darkness. The creation was outside of Himself. Then God spoke and called the light out of the darkness, as He began to form and order His creation. This was not created light, for God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. Jesus said that He is the light of the world. And in the New Heavens and New Earth – in the New Jerusalem – there will be no night there, for the Lamb will be its light for the eternal day, without darkness: the day after the Sabbath. The sun and moon are temporary lights for this creation, which God placed in this unique solar system within the universe on the fourth day to serve their purposes in His sovereign wisdom.

We must, like Elijah called upon the false prophets of Baal in Israel, make a choice: if Yeshua/Jesus is our Lord and God, let us believe and follow Him. We can not be of two opinions when God has spoken to us, if a serpent, or a man, or even an angel, comes to us with a different word which contradicts His.

Here are some articles which are helpful on this subject of “the gap”:

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/christianity/the-gap-between-believing-gods-word-and-human-wisdom/feed/02Pt 3: The Day of YHVH Is Cominghttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/2pt-3-the-day-of-yhvh-is-coming/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/2pt-3-the-day-of-yhvh-is-coming/#respondSat, 05 Jan 2019 13:51:40 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6549Continue reading "2Pt 3: The Day of YHVH Is Coming"]]>2Pt 3:1-18

Peter begins this chapter by reminding his brothers and sisters in the faith of what both the prophets during the Old Testament and also the Apostles of the Lord and Savior in the New Testament have spoken: “knowing this first”, that scoffers [among even the people of God] will come in the last days, living according to their own lusts, and saying that there are no indications/signs that the Lord is coming; nothing has changed since the creation of the world. If Christians and Jews do not believe in their heart that the Lord and Judge is coming, why should we expect others to take the matter seriously?! If believers are not praying the last prayer of the Bible – “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”! – why should we expect Israel to say “Blessed are you, Lord Jesus/Yeshua, who comes in the name of YHVH!”?

The scoffers are secure in their own unbelief and evil (in God’s eyes), and make light of the coming again of Jesus, who is going to judge them and their lifestyle. Peter writes that these scoffers willfully forget (willful collective amnesia) the flood in Noah’s day, when God intervened directly into human affairs, judging and destroying the world as it was then. And God has promised by His word to again judge and destroy the world as it now is, this time by fire, on the day of judgment – the Day of YHVH – to put away ungodly people and subdue evil, and to rescue and save the righteous. The God of Israel will vindicate and sanctify His holy name, and glorify His people. By faith, we, according to His promise, look beyond the Millennial Kingdom for the perfect New Heavens and New Earth to come (the present Heavens and Earth are “very good”) (Gen 1:31; 1Cor 13:10; Rev 21:1-4), in which righteousness dwells. (2Pt 3:13)

The scoffers have accepted or been heavily influenced by the teaching of evolution, which, in essence, claims that the Biblical record and testimony do not stand up to human wisdom. (And they can also be negatively influenced by numerous false prophecies about the end times and rapture that have already been proven to be false.) They add much and take away much of what is written in the Scriptures, as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Peter writes that they willfully forget that YHVH judged the world by the flood, and that Jesus is coming again to judge the world in righteousness. Evolution teaches that death was happening long ago without sin as being the cause; whereas Yeshua and the Apostles affirm that death came in because of sin through one man, Adam. In evolution teaching, there may have been a flood that covered the Earth, but it was not a judgment from the Creator. Evolution is more than just a teaching about length of time for things to be what they are. Yeshua came to save us from our sins, from the liar Satan, and from death and Hell. This is the gospel message!

Evolution teaches, generally, that there is no God, at least not YHVH, and if there is a God, then He is not good; no judgment; no Heaven, and no Hell (but, if there really is the God, they want to usually be in Heaven after the judgment that they do not fear, with the Lord whom they deny). This teaching undermines the Biblical testimony of the LORD Himself, who has revealed to us what He has done, when He has done it, and why He does it. Therefore, it, too, falls into the category of “destructive teachings”, or heresies, having come out from the household of faith. God also tells us that human beings are unique among all other created things, in that we are created in His image and likeness. That is why we are commanded to live in holy conduct and godliness. Charles Darwin (accredited for popularizing evolution as a world-view) knew that if he was right, then Genesis is wrong, and the whole Bible becomes discredited as the primary source and authority about origins and purpose; it becomes only a mythology of the Hebrews. In his theory, the strong survive (survival of the fittest). Jesus, and the writers of the Scriptures, tell us that the meek and righteous shall inherit the Earth and the Kingdom. (Ps 37:11, 27-34; Mt 5:5)

(Parents, pastors, teachers, we have an obligation to know and to show from the Bible why evolution is wrong. We do not have to understand how our God could create everything as He said He did. Neither can anyone explain how evolution is right. We either believe our Father, who has revealed to us what only God knows, or else we reject that and put this world’s wisdom above God’s Word. “Has God really said?!” We want to worship Him in spirit and truth.)

In these last days, Peter informs us by the Holy Spirit that people live in unbelief, without the fear of YHVH. We can see lawlessness increasing, with more violence and brutality as a consequence. They live as if God does not exist, or else, if so, that He is irrelevant. “God is dead”. Yeshua tells us that “as in the days of Noah, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Mt 24:37-39) People will be living as everything will continue to be as they always have, not expecting the return of the Lord. The Scriptures are united in their witness and testimony. The “scoffers” do not believe in their heart in the living God, or in the signs which He has given us to prepare and be ready for Jesus’ return. As disciples of the true Messiah, we need to renew our minds, and not be conformed to this world, and the spirit of it.

The Day of YHVH corresponds to the Day of Atonements in the redemptive calendar which God gave to Israel. On that day, either the Jewish Israeli people accepted the sacrifice that He provided for their atonement, or they did not. If they do, He dwells among them (fully realized during the Millennial Kingdom, corresponding to the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles). If they refuse, they cut themselves off, and YHVH will see to it. (Lev 23:26-32; Lev 16; Zec 12:7-14; Heb 9:11-28) The 1000-year reign of Messiah, and the saints with Him, is the Sabbath rest for this creation – the seventh 1000-year period since the Creation, according to God’s Word. (Heb 4:1-11; Rom 8:18-25) All of the covenantal promises of God to Israel and her people and land are ‘yes’, and ‘amen’ in Messiah Yeshua, and will all find their fulfillment during those times of restoration of all things pertaining to this world, which will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD. (Acts 3:19-22; Is 11:9; 2:17)

God has been long-suffering before this long-awaited Day comes. He wants people to be saved, having their sins forgiven and wiped away, and to live with Him for eternity! (2Pt 3:9) It took Him about 1700 years after Adam and Eve to judge and kill all of the wicked, but saved Noah and his family in the ark. Peter is also telling us that God is not slow to put away the evil, but long-suffering, wanting as many as possible to repent and be saved. So Peter, by the Holy Spirit, references Ps 90:4, in which Moses writes, by the Holy Spirit, that 1000 years is like yesterday to God. Moses goes on to write that our life expectancy is 70 years, and with strength, 80 years. (v 10) In other words, a normal lifetime is between 70-80 years. (In Israel today, the average life-span is about 83 years; Israel today, as a nation, is approaching 71 years.)

Moses also wrote that we should want God to “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”. (v 12) Hosea the Prophet wrote that Israel should return to the LORD, for YHVH has punished them, but will heal them. He has stricken them for two days, and on the third day He will raise us up, that we might live in His sight. Let us know and let us pursue the knowledge of YHVH. (Hos 6:1-3) These two days were not 24-hour days, but these completely align with Peter’s prophetic counsel to believers in Jesus in the last days – which began since Yeshua died and rose again, ascended to sit at the right-hand of the Father, and the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the 120 disciples. (Acts 2:16-21) We are living in the end-times of the last days, marked by the reestablishment of the Jewish people in the land of promise. (Mt 24:32-35) (Interestingly, even in the Talmud is a reckoning of history into three 2000-year periods, for the six days of history following the Creation: 2000 years of no Law; 2000 years of Torah; 2000 years of the Messiah. http://www.come-and-hear.com/zarah/zarah_9.html ) (With evolutionary thinking, there are no reliable time-markers.)

Yeshua rebuked the multitudes of the people in His day that, although they could discern the signs about the weather, they could not discern the times about His having come to them, the Messiah and Lord that the prophets had foretold them. (Lk 12:54-56; Acts 3:17-18) Do we want Him to say the same thing to us? The Scriptures are written for us living at the end of the age. (1Cor 10:11; Acts 3:19-26) And what was the context in which Paul wrote that to the believers in Corinth?: they were walking according to their own lusts, just as Israel had done, warning the believers not to become idolatrous like unbelievers who live according to the lusts of the flesh. This is what Peter is saying to us, as well, nearing the end of the age: that since God is going to judge all these things, we are to live in holy conduct and godliness, waiting for and hastening the day of God (the day of YHVH). (2Pt 3:11)

The Father has set a Day in which He will judge the world in righteousness, and Yeshua is that Judge. (Acts 17:30-31) No one can know in advance precisely that day and hour; but, we are told to watch and pray concerning the signs which the Lord and the apostles and prophets have given us. Then we can be prepared, and not be taken by surprise when the Lord returns as a thief in the night.

How do we hasten a day that the Father has set and no one can alter?: by faithful obedience, and by love. If we are busy with what our Lord and Savior has given us to do, we will be blessed in Him, and the “work day” will not seem so slow and long. He has commissioned us to take the gospels to all peoples, and that when the fullness of Gentiles have come in, then all Israel will be saved. And if we really love Yeshua, then we will be continually desiring to see Him, even as we go about His work, loving others, and He will comfort us by His Word and Spirit that He will come for us. We will “feel” that the time is going by faster, thus, hastening the Day. (Mt 24:36-51) As we read the whole counsel of God, we see that there is a unity and an agreement within the Bible that reinforces what He would have us to hear and understand and do. We are His children; we are His servants; we are His friends; we are His witnesses; we are the Lamb’s beloved Bride.

Peter, the Apostle to the Jews, commends his brother Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, but who was also commissioned by the Lord Yeshua to speak to the Jewish people and to kings. Paul had rebuked Peter when Peter had acted hypocritically regarding his lifestyle and teaching as a believer: he was eating with Gentiles, and free to eat whatever was put before him (if he wanted), giving prayer and thanks to God for it. (1Tim 4:3-4) But when leading Jewish believers who were still keeping certain traditions that were no longer required of believers in Messiah Yeshua, he acted like he was, too. His example influenced other believers, and Paul rebuked him for bringing confusion into the truth of the gospel – to the Jews first, and also to the Gentiles. (Gal 2:11-21) Peter humbled himself, and accepted the rebuke, and now, in his second epistle, commends Paul and the wisdom which he had received from God. He adds that those who twist Paul’s words and teachings – though some are very challenging to understand — do so with all of the Scriptures! (2Pt 3:14-16)

This third and last chapter of Peter’s second epistle to the Messianic Jewish believers in Yeshua focuses on how believers – whether Jewish or not – should live in light of the falling away from the true faith in the true God, in order that disciples of Jesus can be overcomers in the Day of YHVH, after which there shall be a regenerated Heavens and Earth during the Millennial reign of Messiah with His saints co-ruling over saved Israel and the nations. (Is 65:17-25; Rev 20:4-6; Dan 7). Yet Peter takes us beyond the last 1000 years of this creation – which will pass away (Mt 5:17-18) — to the New Heavens and New Earth “in which righteousness dwells”. (Rev 21:1-8) God has called us by “glory and virtue”, given us “exceedingly great and precious promises” – all this that we would be motivated to strengthen ourselves in God to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. (2Pt 1:2-4; 3:11,18) Are you ready for the Day of the LORD? Or are you thinking that everything will just continue as they always have seemed to? What kind of people should we be in the light of that Day? Yeshua gives us attributes of God’s character
in the Sermon on the Mount; and Paul gives us the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians. Let us aspire to become more like our heavenly Father, in His image and likeness. We should look forward to these things, and be diligent to be found in peace, without spot, and blameless when He comes.

The Apostle Peter’s reminder and counsel to us is similar to Hosea’s: pursue the knowledge of our God and Savior. Grow in knowing God – our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ whom He sent, the Holy Spirit dwelling within us joining us as one Spirit with our Creator and Redeemer. This is eternal life, which we possess already if we are born again from Above, and which we long for in fullness in the resurrection of our bodies.

2Pt 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

2Pt 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who secretly shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with deceptive words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.

Some definitions:
secretly – sneaking in
pernicious – destructive, having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

Peter warns of false teachers in the churches just as there were false prophets in Israel. Such teachers and prophets bring in ‘destructive heresies’ to divide and to destroy the unity and the faithfulness of the people and children of God from walking in the truth, and worshipping the Father in spirit and truth.

Paul writes about false teachings in the last days, including those of forbidding marriage and of eating certain meats; Yeshua tells us that false teachers will come dressed like sheep, but inside they are ravenous wolves; Paul also told the leaders in Ephesus that after he leaves, false teachers would come from within the church to make disciples for themselves; Paul also wrote that the time would come when people will listen to that they want to hear, but that we are to preach the truth of what God says. (1Tim 4:1-4, 7; Mt 7:15-16a; 2Tim 4:1-4; Acts 20:27-31)

Heresy comes from the Greek word hairesis, meaning ‘choose, factions, and division’. These false teachers ‘sneak in’ their destructive teachings, because they know they are not in accord with sound doctrine, as revealed and taught by God to the apostles and the other writers of the Scriptures.

Historically, there have been churches with their own dogmas that were not necessarily in line with what the Scriptures teach. For an example, some of the churches baptize infants. When the Anabaptists understood that the Bible teaches that believers are to be baptized, they were called heretics. (Anabaptists may have other issues, but on the baptism teaching alone, they were considered heretical.) The words—their messages—of the false teachers and prophets are destructive to one’s faith and relationship with God. “Denying the Lord” does not necessarily mean they deny that He lived or died or that He is God, but that their words and conduct are opposed to who He is. Their lives deny any close contact with Him. Of course, it it also that some simply deny the Lord completely, and speak evil of Him and of His way. These are apostates, not simply heretics.

Peter does not define heresy, but he does single out one – sexual immorality, and in particular, homosexuality. Paul condemns heresy as one of “the works of the flesh.” (Gal 5:20) It may be translated “sects” in your Bible, but Paul says that people who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God! (Gal 5:21)! We need the fear of the LORD in this very serious matter!

In the ordinary course of secular life, heresy was of little consequence; one person’s opinion or choice about most things in life is just as good as another’s. A person can be given any number of alternatives, any one of which he may be perfectly free to believe. However, in the faith of the true God, we are dealing with revelation, with God-given truth, with absolutes. When God’s truth comes to men, we either have to accept or reject it. Thus, a heretic is a man who believes what hewants to believe instead of accepting the truth of God that he ought to believe. (taken from John W. Ritenbaugh)

Some heresies have been around for a long time, and are still taught as an acceptable understanding of the truth. There is nothing new under the sun, and the heresies of long ago are back again today. We will look at some of them. I will not give their names, because what is important are their errors, and the consequences of believing them. Not all disagreements are over heretical teaching, and not all heretical teaching means that the teacher is not a real believer. In most cases, though, the teacher and the teaching are opposed to the holy faith handed down to us by the fathers. A heretical teaching does not line up with the plain teaching of the Word of God.

–“YHVH is not the one and only true God, and God Most High.” (Is 43:10-13) Before there ever was the Bible, YHVH had revealed Himself to angels and to mankind. The Jewish people and Christian are called to be His witnesses, that there is no God but Yehovah – God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament.

–“Yeshua is not the only way to the Father.” Yeshua says that no comes to the Father but through Him. (Jn 14:6) He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

–“The Bible is not the authoritative written Word of God to Israel and to the world.” This heresy allows man’s understanding and knowledge to have more authority than God Himself. It might be called philosophy; or, it might be called science. It is idolatry if it puts man’s wisdom above YHVH, God of Israel, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, and all that is in them. It is another spirit, not the Spirit of Truth. God will fulfill His Word, according to His understanding, knowledge, wisdom, and power. God’s Word abides forever, and not a word of it will fall without accomplishing His purpose. (Mt 24:35) We are strictly warned: ‘do not add to or take from these words…”; “all Scripture inspired…”. (Dt 4:2; 12:32; Prov 30:6; Rev 22:18-20; 2Tim 3:16-17) Moses did write, by the Spirit of God, that someone would come after him, to whom we must listen. This ‘someone’ is Yeshua/Jesus, the Messiah. (Dt 18:15-19; Acts 3:22-23)

–“Jesus is not both God and Man”. This is another Jesus/Yeshua than whom God witnesses to throughout the Bible. As the early church grappled with heretics of various sorts, the leaders were united on the absolute necessity of the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ. They realized that only God Himself could rescue us from our separation from Him, and that only a man could “earn back” what the first man had lost. (Jn 1:1-18; Rom 5:12-21) Thank and praise the Lord for His becoming incarnate for our sake!

–“Jesus was not fully human (did not come in human flesh).” It is to make Him a deceiver, only acting as if He ever felt any physical pain: in His crucifixion, He did not feel physical pain, because God can not feel physical pain, for God is a spirit. Jesus did not physically resurrect in the body, but only had a ‘spiritual’ resurrection. This teaching about Yeshua not coming in the flesh (real human flesh and blood) is the antichrist teaching. (1Jn 4:3) Yeshua came as not only the Son of God, but also as the Son of Man, in order to know our sufferings and redeem us, and to be a sympathetic High Priest for us. Jesus also promised His disciples that He would come again, and the angels told them that the same Jesus that they saw ascend into Heaven would come again [at the appointed time set by the Father].

–“Jesus not fully God, because He subjected Himself to God His Father, and because He was limited in space and time while in the body.” Brothers and sisters, this is the mystery of the Godhead!: “God was manifested in the flesh….” (1Tim 3:16) It is something only our amazing God can do, and has revealed to us. No created being would invent such a doctrine and expect any one to believe it.

–“God has finished with the Jews and with Israel as a nation in the promised land.” God has not rejected His covenant and promises to Israel – or, for that matter, to anyone else. To teach otherwise is to dishonor the Lord and to make His promises ‘not promises’. His Name is at stake in His keeping His covenantal promises to the seed of Jacob/Israel, and to David, and to Levi. (Rom 11; Jer 31:35-37; 33:17-26; Ezek 36:22-28) God has not cancelled, annulled, or done away with the Law and the Prophets. Yeshua confirms that every jot and tittle of them will be fulfilled. (Mt 5:17-20; Rom 15:8-13)

–“Gentile and Jewish believers must keep the “Torah” in order to live as Jesus lived, and, therefore, be righteous”, even if it is said by the false teachers on this subject not to be a salvation issue, and that we are saved by our faith in the name of the Son of God, the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. They are teaching another gospel, sowing confusion and division. This is heresy, which made the Apostle Paul very upset! (Acts 15:23-29; Gal) This is not the same as someone, for the sake of the gospel, living in a manner acceptable to an ethnic population or a religious group, in order that they might be more open to listen to the gospel. But Paul was also free among any people group for that very reason, and always under the law of Messiah. He never went against God’s word and wisdom in order to appeal to sinners. “Torah-keeping” does not promote the one new man in Messiah; and the Law of Messiah by His cross is the ‘one Law’ that all believers as a new creation live under.

–“We are to have all of the blessings promised in the world to come… now.” Prosperity, health, dominion now for believers. To be sick or poor is a sin. Brothers and sisters, Yeshua told us that the poor would always be with us in this world; we are to pray for the sick; Paul had an eye problem that was not fully healed; Timothy was told by Paul to drink some wine for his stomach ailment; believers also die. How can we comfort the poor or sick if we believe that poverty and sickness is against the truth of God’s purpose now? (1Cor 4:8-13)

All of these heresies we know are taught and believed on here in Israel, and even within some of the congregations. Although teachers may be teaching truth, not all of those hearing may believe it, but prefer to believe the lie and error, even without them telling us. We must not be either naïve nor ignorant of the power of deception and of what ‘sounds good’, but isn’t. It may be that some of you hearing or reading these words of mine may think that it is I who am heretical by my positions taken on these issues. It is your honor to check the Scriptures to see if what I am teaching is of the truth or not. We must all remain correctible and teachable. The Holy Spirit is still at work to lead us into all the truth. When the Word of God convicts us of sin and wrong-doing, we can repent and confess that God is right, that His Word is truth, and thank Him for forgiving us.

We must have the word of Messiah dwelling in us richly, so that we will have the armor of God on our hearts and minds, to defeat all of the lies of the enemy, and to guard our own hearts from greed or bitterness.

We have become accustomed to being tolerant. But, from what is written in II Peter 2 and in Jude, it is clear that God is not tolerant of this kind of thing. He is long-suffering, but as Peter writes, the judgment of these false teachers, and of those who stand with them, will come, and will be swift. We are tolerant because we have lost, or we never had, a sense of the grave danger of Satan’s false teaching and lies. It leads people to their deaths! As a people, we have become dulled to the distinction between good and evil, not only in terms of right and wrong in behavior, but also in terms of theology and thought.

Peter tells us that these false teachers/prophets and false teachings do two things:
–Those who teach them, and those who agree with them are in danger of eternal loss;

–They cause themselves and many others – both believers and unbelievers – to speak evil of the way of truth. They accuse God and His Word of being wrong, and even bad, rather than right and good.

Remember: the devil is the prince of this world, and he is running around like a roaring lion seeking to devour whom he can. He will be in this role until the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ to put him away for the duration of the 1000-year rule and reign of Yeshua and of the saints, over Israel and the other nations. Therefore, this world can never be ‘better’ from God’s point of view until the Son of God returns and sits on David’s throne, the throne of Messiah’s glory. We can influence the world for good to some extent, but it is always partial and temporary. When Jesus comes to establish the Kingdom of God/Heaven on Earth, His kingdom of righteousness and peace will never pass away! Hallelu-Yah! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/2pt-2-false-teachers-and-heresies/feed/0A Sign Spoken Againsthttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/fins-and-scales-choice-variety/a-sign-spoken-against/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/fins-and-scales-choice-variety/a-sign-spoken-against/#respondSat, 22 Dec 2018 13:36:43 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6529Continue reading "A Sign Spoken Against"]]>One thing about Christmas is that it is not a celebration of a shadow or type, looking for the One of whom Moses and the Prophets spoke. It is focused on Him who came — the Son has come, the Light shines brightly!

Ps 69: 5-9 (6-10 Heb) O God, You know my foolishness, and my sins are not hidden from You. Let not those who hope in You, O YHVH God of Hosts, be ashamed because of me; let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel. Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother’s children (Mk 3:21; 6:3; Jn 7:1-5). Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. (Rom 15:3)

Lk 2: 29-35 [Simeon] took [Yeshua] up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. . . .Behold, this One is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against, . . .that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

–Who is That Man?! Who is this child that was born, this Son that is given? (Is 9:6-7)
–just a man, a son of Mary?
–just a brother, of Yaakov, Joseph, Judah, Simon, and of sisters, too? They thought He was crazy.
–just a carpenter or a stonemason, son of Joseph? (Mt 13:54-57) They were all offended by Him and His wisdom.
–just a son of David, or one of the prophets and teachers (rabbis)? (Mt 22:42-46; 16:13-20)

–Jesus the Son bears the reproach of God His Father: YHVH is holy, holy, holy. Yeshua did not come to please Himself, but His Father – God – and those weaker than Himself, in order to build them up. Yeshua love His Father and His Father’s house – the Temple. Do we stand up for Jesus when He we hear others speak against Him, or say something not true about Him? Do we defend the congregation when we hear others speak poorly of it? Do we love Jesus; do we love the church?

–We are to go outside the camp where Messiah is and bear His reproach.
–He is the only one with the words of eternal life.
–He is the one who brings both Jew and Gentile into equal standing with God: this Jew; this crucified One.

–Yeshua – like His Father – is blamed for all the evil and suffering in the world, because He allows it, and does not prevent or stop it [yet]. He is the Scapegoat because He took our sins upon His own body on the cross, becoming a curse for us, so that we could become righteous and blessed!

–If Jesus is only a myth, then Israel as God’s chosen people – and this land as God’s promised land for His people – is also only a myth. If YHVH and Jesus is/are just a myth, then why is He blamed for everything. Thus, the Jews become the scapegoat, since they “invented this myth”; and Christians are hated, because they believe it. Why live, or die, for what is only a myth or a legend?!
–While we believe that this is no myth, but that YHVH God is the true God and Creator of all that is, those who do not believe in Him or in His words (written for us in the Bible) make up their own myth and expect people to validate it as a legitimate alternative to believe and live for. YHVH God is true, and His word is truth. YHVH God is not a myth or a legend, and neither is the Bible – both OT and NT.

–Great responsibility not to be a cause of stumbling for those seeking truth, for those seeking the true God, or of those whose hope is already in YHVH God of Hosts, the God of Israel

–It is essential to give our children and our churches proofs from the Bible concerning controversial issues, to enable them to stand against those who want to attack generally accepted truths handed down to believers from generation to generation – the faith which was once-for-all delivered to the saints.

—God will abase all pride because He – the great God – humbled Himself and was/is humiliated by the pride and foolishness of man.

–God Almighty came in flesh and blood; born as a baby, in poverty, in weakness.

–What reproach did Mary and Joseph have to bear for being chosen for such a miracle and done in such a way that Miriam was thought to have been unfaithful to Joseph and to the holiness of YHVH?
–If illegitimate, then Yeshua is unworthy and unacceptable to be in the assembly of God (Dt 23:2) But He is the Holy One of God, the Holy One of Israel! (Lk 1:30-35)

–What did the people of Bethlehem think when all the babies were killed by Herod because of hearing that the Messiah, the rightful King of Israel, had been born?

–Will we stand up for our God and Savior when we are considered strangers and aliens to those we love and care about? (Lk 14:26; Mt 10:33-40)

–Let us take up our cross, and not be ashamed of Yeshua/Jesus and His words in this wicked and adulterous generation. (Lk 9:23-26; Mk 8:38)

—God does not do things to satisfy our own understanding or expectation, but rather for us to take note that He has intervened in the affairs of man for His own holy name’s sake.

God is good; He is righteous; He is love; He keeps covenant and mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments. He has a plan of redemption that He is fulfilling, and will fulfill fully. Yeshua was born according to God’s promise; Yeshua died and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; Yeshua is acting and governing today according to the will of the Father; and He will return at the set time which the Father has determined already. We are to remain faithful to the end, growing in trust and hope and love in the Living God. Blessed are they who are not offended in Him. (Mt 11:3-6)We want to celebrate and to exalt our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, who still today is the Rock of Offense for the falling and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against, that the hearts of many – including us in the Body of Christ – may be revealed. He is our hope and joy.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever should believe on Him should not perish, but inherit everlasting life.”

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/fins-and-scales-choice-variety/a-sign-spoken-against/feed/0Messiah Has Come!https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/messiah-has-come/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/messiah-has-come/#commentsSat, 15 Dec 2018 16:27:32 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6519Continue reading "Messiah Has Come!"]]>What joy and hope this gave to those who heard the good news/glad tidings when the angels sang, and the Israeli Jewish shepherds in the field heard the joy of the Father in Heaven over the birth of His only-begotten Son, Yeshua, the King of Israel! And what comfort and expectation it gave to those who were waiting for the long-anticipated Messiah whom God first spoke of to our first father and mother in the Garden of Eden! In the sovereign wisdom of God, this expectation and hope were not fully fulfilled at the birth of the Lord, or even during His life and death and resurrection; no, that fullness of the Law and the Prophets waits for the return of this same Yeshua/Jesus to return in great power and glory, to be Lord of every man, and to whom all must confess that He is YHVH! What a glorious day that will be, and the new song to be sung by the saints and the angels!

Israel was living in a low state at the first coming of Messiah; from God’s viewpoint, Israel and the saints are also living at a low point in world history now, as the spirit and forces of evil conspire together still against YHVH and His Anointed One — against His people Israel/ the Jewish people and against those good things which the Christian believer testifies to through the gospel to the world. Both Jesus and Israel are signs spoken against, and the cause of the rise and falling of many in Israel/in the Church/in the nations, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Heb 4:11-13) Jesus is being relegated to at best one of the holy men in history; at worst the very devil himself. Israel is increasingly being regarded as a failed experiment or as an evil invader. It is worth noting that the third woe, mentioned in Rev 11:14, is the coming again of Jesus to judge the opposers to Him and His Kingdom, and to reward those who have been faithful to Him, as He comes to set up His Kingdom on the throne of David, as one of the key covenantal promises made by YHVH.

Anti-semitism is openly rising; anti-Christian attacks on all that is good and right is increasing; truth is being thrown to the ground as lies and deceit become “equivalent”. Praise God for the truth of Messiah being Jesus/Yeshus, and His plan and victory will prevail! Nations will continue to slide toward “coming against Jerusalem” — even if for now some governments are demonstrating support — but believing Christians who believe what God has said through the whole of the Bible must speak up and out. If not us, who? Israel is an island surrounded by a sea of Gentile powers and empires that have always sought to take its land and destroy the people. We want as many as possible people to be saved now; and as many as do not, then that they would become sheep rather than goats when the Judge makes His separation for who is in, and who is out, of His soon-coming Kingdom. Please pray how you might become a prophetic voice in these darkening days, and not to get caught up in divisive quarrels.

Yeshua’s Inheritance Cong will have it’s celebration of the birth of Yeshua this coming Shabbat. As a congregation we will have no tree, no songs about jingle bells, nor of a white Christmas. Our desire is to honor our God and Savior in spirit and truth, and thank and praise Him for what He has done, what He is doing, what He will do, and for who He Is. Individual families may choose to follow certain traditions in their own homes. We encourage them to do so to the glory of Jesus, exalted above all other things. On Sonday, Randi and I, with some others, will again go to Bethlehem to worship and celebrate with our brothers and sisters there at a church which does not particularly like Israel. We have been doing so since 2003 during the second intifada. But we are there as faces and names to them, and they are faces and names to us: reminders that our Father has redeemed children there and here. For the sake of the testimony of who Jesus/Yeshua is we go: we must show that Jesus is our peace and reconciliation, even when times are tense and difficult. If we can not do that when things are not well, then we have no message to our people even when they are. It is the grace and mercy of God that moves us. Please pray that we would continue to have an open door to enter the ‘other side’. The Kingdom of God does recognize boundaries, and in the Spirit we can respect them, and cross over.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/messiah-has-come/feed/1Beer Sheva: A Key to Breakthrough to Jerusalemhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/beer-sheva-a-key-to-breakthrough-to-jerusalem/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/beer-sheva-a-key-to-breakthrough-to-jerusalem/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 19:50:17 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6567Continue reading "Beer Sheva: A Key to Breakthrough to Jerusalem"]]>(Spoken at a ‘Tribe of Judah’ joint service in Beer Sheva on Jan 12, 2019)

Beer Sheva and the rest of the Negev have a key role in God’s plan of redemption and salvation of His people Israel, and of all the Gentiles who are called by His name. We are also part of His plan and history, most of us being immigrants from somewhere who have returned home on Earth in these last days, according to YHVH’s promise.

“Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, seekers of the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him.”

‘For the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her desert like Eden and her wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the sound of melody.’ (Isaiah 51:1-3)

Beer Sheva has a history of nearly 4000 years: the City of the Patriarchs of the Israeli people; the city named by Abraham, the father to the Jews, to the Christian believers, to the Arabs. Beer Sheva’s future is full of hope because she has deep roots in the past Messianic promises of the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob – the God of Israel. Believers in Jesus from all nations confess their own faith in the God of Israel’s fathers, who all lived in Beer Sheva.

Both Judaism and Christianity place great spiritual significance on the binding of Isaac, when Abraham believed and obeyed God to go together with his son from Beer Sheva up to Jerusalem, and then, after such an historic and dramatic event, to return again to Beer Sheva full of living faith, thanksgiving, praise, worship, hope: the wells of salvation were opened in Beer Sheva, the city of the “Well of the Seven” (or, “Oath”). Beer Sheva offers the hope of true peace and reconciliation: it was here that Abraham made a peace covenant with the Gentile Philistine king; it was here where the one true God of Abraham and of Isaac also blessed the Egyptian Hagar, the concubine of Abraham, and their son Ishmael, considered the father of the Arab nations. It is here from where, and to where, Abraham went up to Jerusalem with his “only son, whom he loved”, Isaac, to offer him up as a sacrifice to YHVH. Because he did this, YHVH swore a covenantal oath to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed/descendant — whom we know to be Yeshua the Messiah.

The modern city of Beer Sheva rose again back in 1900, when the Moslem Turks built the beginnings of what is today the “Old City”, the historic downtown which also has British Mandate influences, and the Jewish presence which has predominated since the 1948-49 independence of the homeland for the Jewish people. The great and courageous victory of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (the ANZAC) in capturing Beer Sheva from the Ottomans on October 31, 1917, during WW1 was the break-through victory that opened the gateway once again up to Jerusalem. Many Christians, together with the Jewish Zionists, believed what was written in Moses and the Prophets concerning these times in which we live,and helped open the way for thousands of Jewish people to return to the Promised Land from Dan to Beer Sheva – the Land of Israel.

Today Beer Sheva remains, as always, the Capital of the Negev, and has a population of around 210,000, and a large student population, with active building to make it Israel’s third largest city: we are Sephardic Jews, Mizrahi Jews, Indian Jews, Ashkenazi Jews; Jews from the North and from the South, and from all the nations where we have been scattered. Besides our unifying language of the Hebrew Bible, we speak Russian, Spanish, Amharic, English, French, Persian, Hindi, Arabic, German. The vision of the Prophets of Israel inspired the modern nation’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, who saw the Negev as a key to Israel’s future, symbolized by the desert springing forth in streams of water and fruitful fields.

Beer Sheva and Jerusalem have been joined together forever: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, whose blessings will flow down to the waste places and out to all the world; and, when the dry places bloom and blossom as a rose, it will be as life from the dead! Without the true peace in Jerusalem, which only Yeshua can give in righteousness when He returns, there will be no true peace in the nations, or in the Negev, either. When Yeshua breaks through the highest heavens to put His feet on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, this will be the breakthrough that brings the salvation of Israel and life from the dead. The Negev will become like the Garden of YHVH, the Garden of Eden, with much singing and rejoicing and thanksgiving and gladness!

Walk in the footsteps of our father Abraham; see the wells which remain, but in need of being “released”; follow Abraham, from where he dwelt in tents in his city of Beer Sheva, up to Jerusalem, the intense City of the great King! A voice is crying in the desert to prepare a highway of holiness in the Holy Land. Let us each pray for our own Holy Spirit breakthrough into our own hearts and minds, so that our lives as believers in Yeshua will prepare us for His coming, and strengthen our witness to others until He does.

Ezek 20:45-48 “Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field; And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein. And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.”

Revival fire will come from the LORD, and it will begin in the Negev, and move northward. It will purify the saints, and destroy all that is not the Lord’s. Let’s be ready for a big breakthrough!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/beer-sheva-a-key-to-breakthrough-to-jerusalem/feed/0Face of Jesus Uncovered at Shivta?https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/negev/face-of-jesus-uncovered-at-shivta/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/negev/face-of-jesus-uncovered-at-shivta/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 06:25:18 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6507Continue reading "Face of Jesus Uncovered at Shivta?"]]>Archaeologists continue to find startling finds in Israel’s Negev Desert. The latest is one in which they believe the face of Jesus is depicted. The Shivta site is in the western Negev, not far from the Egyptian Sinai border. Shivta is a Byzantine Christian site dating back to the early centuries AD.

What is particularly interesting in this depiction is that Yeshua has short hair and more of a Jewish Middle-Eastern appearance. The later church renderings depict Him more as less Jewish looking, and more like a Nazarite, with long hair (and no drinking of wine).

2Pt 1:1-2Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

Peter was/is the Apostle to the circumcision; that is, to the Jewish people, especially to those who believe in Yeshua as the Messiah, the Son of God. In his first epistle he clearly writes that he is writing to the pilgrims or sojourners of the dispersion (diaspora; galut) – to those Messianic Jews not living in the promised land of Israel, who have been chosen to obedience through the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. (1Pt 1:2) God exiled His people because of the unbelief and disobedience to His covenant and its law. For those of us who do live here now, we also see that although many Jewish people do live here, the large majority of them are still in spiritual exile, still in disobedience to YHVH, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.

In his second epistle, Peter mentions that he is writing to them again. Yet, of course, the teaching and exhortations and warnings and hopes in both letters are applicable to all believers, whether Jewish or Gentile. Gentile believers are brought into the commonwealth of Israel. So it is also with the Apostle Paul’s letters: he was commissioned by the Lord to be the apostle to the Gentiles, and that he would also speak to the Jews. All believers need to read the epistles in the New Testament — and the Old Testament, too — as if they are all relevant to themselves, while also paying attention to the details, which may make more or less sense, depending from which background we come, such as male or female.

I find it worth reminding us about Peter’s ministry to the Messianic Jews in particular, that he neither preached nor wrote ANYTHING about keeping the Sabbath, eating kosher, or keeping the holidays. (Neither, by the way, did James, who also wrote his epistle to the twelve Israeli tribes in the dispersion. There are no lost tribes to YHVH, God of Israel!) This is not to say that there may not be a place for these things, but there is no obligation for righteousness’ sake.

Peter wrote his epistles at a time when heavy persecution was about to come upon those who were called Christians, followers of the Christ/Messiah, for their faith in a King who required their primary and utmost allegiance. (1Pt 4:16) Patriotism to our earthly nation is not the evidence of being a true disciple of Yeshua/Jesus, even if we, in obedience to Him, are usually model citizens or residents or tourists, and seek the peace and good of whatever city or country we live in. (1Pt 4:15; 2:11-17; Rom 13; 1Tim 2:1-6; Jer 29:4-7) Peter addresses these issues for believers in the face of severe tribulation for our faith.

He is writing to the Jewish believers in the dispersion. (1Pt 1:1; 2:11-12, 25; 2Pt 3:1) The Holy Spirit is maintaining through these Scriptures that the Church and Israel are related, yet distinct. God has not finished with Jews, or with Israel, His chosen people and land: there is no valid “replacement theology”, and believing and obedient Christians have a better hope and better promises by virtue of our new birth from Above by the Spirit of God, already being forgiven for all our sins through repentance and faith in the gospel. We always need the blood of the Lamb and the Word of God to cleanse us, since we are never, in this body this side of the resurrection, perfectly obedient or faithful. Just like Peter!

Peter is writing to us about how we are to practically live in holiness and with love in countries and a world among people hostile to the truth of who Jesus Christ is — even within the churches — as we keep our focus on the coming of the Lord and of His kingdom, and on the New Heavens and New Earth for eternity, where our eternal ‘homeland’ will be.

Peter’s second letter is similar to Paul’s second letters: they are written in view of the failure to live up to God’s holy and righteous standard, and to the evil that is coming into the world and the churches more and more. At the end of the age, which we are living in, these conditions are rapidly coming to their maximum level, which will bring God’s judgments – first in His own household; afterwards to those outside. This in order to obtain for Himself in love a holy, spotless, blameless Bride for the Lamb, and a holy and restored people for Himself. By doing so, the Father’s name will be sanctified and glorified, as will that of the Lord Jesus/Yeshua, and so, too, the saints saved by His grace and power!

Ch 1: Peter states several times that he is reminding us of things that we already know. (2Pt 1:12,13,15; 3:1,2,5,8) We need to be reminded, because we too easily forget all that God has done for us, and all that He has promised to do. Peter tells us that our best guard against falling away is to actively developin us by the grace and power of God the divine character – the image of the Son of God, who is the exact image of our Father in Heaven. (2Pt 1:2-11) We are to strengthen ourselves in God. Our hope in Christ is much better than what Jewish people under the Old Covenant expect. Through the gospel, and the New Covenant, we find that our joy in life is knowing God Himself personally – God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Ch 2: In the church – the Body of Christ – the same things that happened within Israel also threatens us: false teachers, false prophets come in to try to deceive us, and even by those who supposedly had been “saved”. The primary heresies, which seem to me that these teach, are that YHVH is not the only true God; that Jesus/Yeshua is not God who came to us in the flesh, nor is He physically coming again to judge all unrighteousness and to rule and reign; that YHVH God will not fulfill all of His covenantal promises; that Jesus is not the only way to God the Father; teaching immorality regarding sex, and the unrighteous pursuit and use of money; that one has to become “Jewish” and live a Jewish lifestyle in order to be saved or to be righteous (or, the opposite: to ban any Jewish identity and practice); and that the Bible is not the authoritative Word of God to all people. (2Pt 2:1; 3:3-7)

Ch 3: Peter also takes us beyond the Millennial Kingdom – the 1000 year reign of Messiah after He returns – to when there will be a new creation of a new heavens and new Earth, where righteousness will dwell. This creation is “very good”; the new creation will be perfect! This creation is “very good”; the new creation will be perfect! Finally! He warns us against complacency regarding the actual return of the Lord, as if nothing has changed, and there are no signs of His coming. Yet Jesus gave us signs to watch for and pray about to let us whom He loves know and prepare for.

We are not to fear persecution, but to rejoice in the glory set before us of being the Bride of Messiah, and of the salvation of our souls and the resurrection of our bodies. Trials and tribulations produce patience and perseverance in the believer, as we learn to put our trust and hope in our Savior. If we do fear persecution in ourselves, all the more we need to strengthen ourselves in God: He is in us, and is with us; our Father loves us with an everlasting love; our Good Shepherd knows His sheep and leads us to life; the Author and Finisher of our faith has gone before us and is now sitting at the right hand of God, interceding for us.

Peter did not expect that the Lord would return “at any moment”; he knew that he was going to die soon; and he knew– or, the Holy Spirit, who inspired Peter’s words and quotes, knew — that the Lord’s longsuffering would last for about 2000 years, or about two days. (2Pt 3:8-10; Hos 6:1-3; Ps 90:4)

How are we to live knowing these things? Both of Peter’s epistles are looking to the end of our life of faith, the end of our life without seeing but believing – that we would be a praise to His name at the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ, when all shall see Him and submit to His good and righteous rule and authority, in the love of the Father. (1Pt 1:7, 13)

There is much theology in Peter’s letters, and he was not a ‘learned man’. But there is a practical side to theology, which every believer should process: knowing God is the assurance of our salvation.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/2nd-peter-introduction/feed/1Ship Drawings Found in Cistern on Beer Sheva Building Sitehttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/ship-drawings-found-in-cistern-on-beer-sheva-building-site/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/ship-drawings-found-in-cistern-on-beer-sheva-building-site/#respondThu, 08 Nov 2018 06:07:20 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6495There might not have been seas in the Negev in modern times, but rock drawings have been found in Beer Sheva depicting knowledge of ships:

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/ship-drawings-found-in-cistern-on-beer-sheva-building-site/feed/0Rocket From Gaza Destroys Beer Sheva Home – 17 Oct 2018https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/rocket-from-gaza-destroys-beer-sheva-home-17-oct-2018/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/rocket-from-gaza-destroys-beer-sheva-home-17-oct-2018/#respondThu, 08 Nov 2018 05:50:39 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6493Continue reading "Rocket From Gaza Destroys Beer Sheva Home – 17 Oct 2018"]]>While we were out of the country, a rocket from Gaza destroyed structurally a home in Beer Sheva, in our neighborhood. The Iron Dome missile defense system was not in place locally to be activated. Thankfully, the single mother heeded the siren warning in the middle of the night, and took her three young children into the bomb shelter just in time to find safety. The home is located just next to the tracks of the North Beer Sheva train station, and just across the street from Ben-Gurion University, which is across the street of Soroka Medical Center.

Here is a link from JNS, on how the incident was reported:
https://www.jns.org/rocket-from-gaza-destroys-beersheba-home-afp-rocket-caused-damage-to-garden/

Ps 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.Num 29:1-6

The New Moon celebrations were given by YHVH to Israel to commemorate, both under the Law of Moses and also in the future Millennial Kingdom (Lev 23:24; Num 10:10; 28:11-15; Ezek 46:1-8). The New Testament tells those who are now believers in Yeshua/Jesus not to make too much of days, months, seasons, years, festivals, New Moons, Sabbaths – all of these things being shadows of things to come, but the substance is Messiah. (Gal 4:9-11;Col 2:16-17)

The Lord has told us that all of the Scriptures are written about Him, and we know that all of the sacrifices and holidays/appointed times are also fulfilled by Jesus in the entirety of His first coming, and in the anticipation of His coming again to fulfill all that is written in the whole of the Bible, which still waits for the Kingdom of God to come. God has given His set holy-day times to remember who He Is, what He has done, and what He will do. Even the Lord’s Supper/Communion serves those purposes. (1 Cor 11:26; Mt 26:26-29)

In Scripture, we have references indicating that the sun, the moon, and the stars symbolize the Son, Yeshua; Israel; and, born-again saints, respectively. (Gen 1:14-19; 37:9-11; Mal 4:2 Eng; 1Cor 15:40-41; Rev 12:1-2)Yeshua is the glory both of Israel — His people — and of the Church — His Body and Bride. In Him, both find their true identity and fullness. (Is 49:3; Lk 2:32; 1Cor 11:7; Col 2:6-10) The moon has no light apart from the sun/Son; the Sun is unique among the stars in God’s solar system and universe, for without it no life can exist on Earth, God’s footstool. (Is 66:1; Mt 5:35)

All things are created by God through Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ (Jn 1:1-3; Rom 11:36; Col 1:16), and all in Christ/Messiah find their true identity and purpose; thus, there is no Israel of God apart from Him; there is no true Church, Body of Messiah apart from Him. Even the sun and moon exist only through His creation, but in the eternal New Heavens and New Earth there will be no need for the temporal sun and moon. (Rev 21:23; 22:5) Again, these present things are but a shadow of the things to come, whose substance is Christ. The Israel of God (the Millennial Israel, I believe) and the Church of God (those in Christ, whether dead or still living) are identified through covenant with YHVH God and His Anointed Son – the Holy Spirit indwelling the born-from-Above believers: Messiah in us.

The New Moon is covered over, that is, darkened. The Scriptures are not silent about this, since God commanded Israel to celebrate every New Moon, and to blow the trumpets on that occasion! (Num 10:10) Jesus fulfills the meaning of the New Moon, and the Moon symbolizes Israel.
(read this article for a fuller explanation of the concealed New Moon, which also includes content from this present teaching: https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/the-new-moon-covered-or-revealed/ ) From the New Moon, the moon waxes 13-14 days (increasing in revealed reflected light) until the Full Moon, and then wanes 13-14 days (decreasing in exposed reflected light) until the next New Moon.

Identifying with, and being the representative Israel (Is 49:3; Gal 4:4-5; Heb 2:14-18), the Man Yeshua came as the Son of God, stripped of His visible glory. And the Sun of Righteousness died, went down in burial (hidden in the secret, dark, lower parts of the Earth), and rose again visibly and triumphantly as the Bright and Morning Star on the third day! As the risen Savior King and Head of the Church, believers ‘see’ Him clothed in divine light and majesty with the glory that was His before He came to His own, and to the world that He made. Israel has no glory of her own: the moon has no light but that of the sun which it reflects. YHVH called Israel to be a light to the nations, but without receiving her Source of Light, she is darkened until. . . – having an inherent hope of a restoration through the covenant promises of God to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, and to their descendants. Born-again Christians are a light. Yeshua has said: “You are the light of the world. . . . ” Stars are lights of their own, each with its own glory, but none outshining the glory of the Sun/Son. (1Cor 15:41;Mt 17:1-2) Israel is still hidden from man’s view, as if away from the light of the Sun/Son, whom the nation still rejects because it prefers the darkness (Gen 3:7-10; Jn 3:19-21) During the New Moon, the illuminated side of the Moon is then pointed away from Earth, but is in full sight to God, who sees the end from the beginning! (Num 23:18-23) The Church, through her historic replacement theology presuming that God is finished with Israel, also has consequently rejected the truth from God’s side that Israel’s future is assured. (Jer 31:35-37) Israel began to be seen since the re-establishment of the State of Israel, and will be seen in her full [moon] glory when she rises up to remember the former glory that was given her by YHVH, and seeks with all her heart the true Son who has risen! (Hos 6:1-5; Rom 9:4); finally repenting, and accepting the Son of God, Yeshua, whom she pierced. (Zech 12:10; Mt 23:39)

The New Moon (which, technically, is only for a brief minute, but can seem to the natural naked eye to be extended over a period of some three days) occurs when the visible side is completely covered from the light of the sun (much like a blanket over us to keep out light) by being directly between it and the Earth. It is the phase when the moon is ‘out of sight’, and the night, which the Moon rules, is less lit. Yet, the stars are more brilliant and so many more can be seen when there is a New Moon. Symbolically, it is Israel’s phase of “being there”, but out-of-sight, and, for too many people, also out-of-mind. And, meanwhile, the born-again ‘star saints’ are given their opportunity to shine! So God, in His infinite wisdom, gave Israel a statute to remember the New Moon. The whole world — including Gentiles, angelic and demonic spirits, and the Body of Christ — are reminded of God’s New Moon which He gave for a sign and for seasons, and for days and for years: every month (from the word, ‘moon’; in Hebrew חודש/chodesh, month), begins with the new and unseen moon that is there! It is a globally recurring heavenly sign from the Creator and Redeemer that He has thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give Israel a future and a hope. (Jer 11-14) The sun and moon are the means by which the Bible calculates days and years. They are also the means by which we determine YHWH’s signs and times of His appointed holy-days. (Ps 104:19)

The trumpets for the New Moon are for a memorial before YHVH. God is remembering His covenant and promises – for His Holy Name’s sake – with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob/Israel, and their descendants. (Heb 8:7-12) The New Moon of the seventh month (Lev 23:24) is basically a uniquely appointed New Moon prophetic wake-upBLAST! to Israel to gather together for preparing to meet her God on the Day of Atonements, either to have her sins forgiven and removed by calling on His Name on that Day (Num 10:9; Joel 2; Acts 4:8-12; Mt 23:37-39; Zech 12:8-15), or else to face His wrath like the rest of His enemies. The Judge is standing at the door! Those who are saved will celebrate the Jubilee — truly a new beginning! — and as on all the celebratory days for His people, the trumpet is sounded. (Lev 25:8-10) The historic steps towards the reestablishment of national Israel were the New Moon trumpet of God to His own Jewish people, and to the Church and to the nations in these last days, to remember that the God of Israel keeps His covenant promises to the seed of Jacob, and that the return of the Lord is nearing. Israel’s full glory – the Full Moon – will be manifested when the Lord returns to dwell in the midst of His completely restored people as the fulfillment of the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles (which always begins at the Full Moon of the 7th month of the redemptive calendar) – the Millennial Kingdom.

Israel is Messiah’s treasure hidden in a field (Mt 13:44), to be uncovered/revealedon the third day (Hos 6:2)at the revelation of Jesus Christ (who is Himself now hidden from the world (Jn 16:10)), when the surviving remnant of Jacob shall see Him whom they pierced, repent with great affliction of soul, and all Israel will be saved. (Zech 12:10 – 13:2; Rom 11:25-27)

Yeshua fulfills the New Moon in His death, burial (covering and removing our sins out of sight), and resurrection to life everlasting. Israel fulfills the New Moon, which symbolizes her as a continual reminder of God’s covenantal faithfulness — and of her hope in Him — that there is a day coming when her redemption will shine forth, the glory of the LORD will shine upon her, and all the nations will praise YHVH, God of Israel, and call her blessed when He cleanses her from all her sins against the Lord. (Lev 26:40-45; Ps 117) There is joy when a woman becomes aware that she is pregnant, in the darkness of the womb; there is greater joy when she has given birth, the baby having come out into the light of the world! (Jn 16:21-22; Lk 15:7,10,32) What began in secret in the dark inward parts, (even as in the womb at conception. ..Ps 139:11-15), will come to light and be seen by all in its full glory, that which was already conceived by the Holy Spirit for a new birth and the celebration of life (Is 66:5-14)! Yeshua’s conception was not ‘light’; His birth brought to light the public knowledge of the promised Messiah and Lord. Blessed is he who believes and has not seen! Even the creation began with darkness, being outside of God, who is Light! The heavens declare the glory of God! (Gen 1:2)

God is redeeming Israel today. He is again returning His attention to Jerusalem. He is calling His people to remember Him — and to remind Him of His stated purposes (Is 62:6-7) — and to rejoice in His goodness and long-suffering, which lead to repentance unto salvation. Let all who want God’s purposes to be fulfilled, who desire the peace of Jerusalem, not keep silent, but remind the Lord as workers with Him to make Jerusalem a praise in the Earth, with a highway of holiness and blessing between Egypt and Assyria, running through Israel. YHVH God will remove unrighteousness from Jacob, and all Israel will be saved. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/new-moon-of-7th-month-god-remembers-his-covenant-with-israel/feed/0The Communion of The New Covenant in Yeshua’s Bloodhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/the-communion-of-the-new-covenant-in-yeshuas-blood/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/the-communion-of-the-new-covenant-in-yeshuas-blood/#respondFri, 31 Aug 2018 18:03:58 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6437Continue reading "The Communion of The New Covenant in Yeshua’s Blood"]]>Mt 26:19-29 “And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover. Now when the evening was come, He sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, He said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, Lord, is it I? And He answered and said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

The Son of man goes as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, who betrayed Him, answered and said, my Lord, is it I? He said unto him, You have said.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Jer 34:12-20 “Then the word of YHVH came to Jeremiah from YHVH, saying,“Thus says the YHVH God of Israel, ‘I made a covenant with your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, saying,“At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother who has been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall send him out free from you; but your forefathers did not obey Me or incline their ear to Me.Although recently you had turned and done what is right in My sight, each man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor, and you had made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name.Yet you turned and profaned My name, and each man took back his male servant and each man his female servant whom you had set free according to their desire, and you brought them into subjection to be your male servants and female servants.”’

“Therefore thus says YHVH, ‘You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming liberty each man to his brother and each man to his neighbor. Behold, I am proclaiming liberty to you,’ declares YHVH, ‘to the sword, to the pestilence and to the famine; and I will make you a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth.I will give the men who have transgressed My covenant, who have not fulfilled the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts—the officials of Judah and the officials of Jerusalem, the court officers and the priests and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf—I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth.”

Some of the main principles of most covenants that we find in the Bible and in secular histories are (taken from In Covenant With Jesus, by Kelvin Crombie, 2013):
–The coming together of two parties with the purpose of entering into an enduring and committed relationship, normally for mutual benefit. Usually there is a weaker party seeking the protection of a stronger one.

–Both parties present their reasons and conditions for seeking the relationship. Previous disagreements or obstacles between the parties would have to be resolved. If one of the parties had been in covenant with another entity, that one would have to be cancelled, buried.

–Once agreement is reached, an animal (or, animals) would be selected and sacrificed, usually in the presence of the two parties.

–The pieces of the animal would then be separated, and the two parties would walk between the pieces, stepping on the blood of the covenant sacrifice; or else the blood might be sprinkled over the parties involved in the covenant ceremony. The covenant would be read out, and the participants would say something like this: “May it happen to me as it happened to these animals if I violate the words of this covenant!” In other words, they were pronouncing a curse upon themselves should they be unfaithful to the covenant. (Gen 15:7-21)

–There would be witnesses to this ceremony, who/which would be a constant reminder that a covenant had been cut and agreed to in that place.

–Often there was an exchange of gifts.

–After all this, there would be some form of banquet of joy, and the sacrificial animal would be eaten as the main course.

–It was clear to all that this covenant was a binding agreement, not to be broken without serious consequences, such as war or death. Breaking a covenant is breach of trust, and is sin.

YHVH God, who came to us in the person of the Messiah Yeshua, has taken full responsibility for His creation and for His plan of redemption. We – as those in covenant relationship with Him – have been guilty of unfaithfulness, of treason, against Him and His covenant relationship and obligations. We deserved to have done to us what was done to those animals who were slaughtered and sacrificed to cut/make the covenant in their blood. Yeshua/Jesus took our place, and we did to Him what was done to those sacrificial animals; and we, and the executors, did it in hatred: we were saying in effect that “we do not like what You have done, we do not like You for who You are, and we do not want to be under Your authority or in personal, religious, or national relationship with You. You have only caused us problems and made life hard for us. Let us go back to Egypt; let us go back to Babylon; let us be like the Gentiles. We do not accept Your authority or Your Law and commandments. Leave us alone!” (And the regiment of soldiers who mistreated Yeshua did to Him what they felt towards the Jewish people — the Chosen People of God — whom He also represented as their “King”.) (Mt 27:27-31)

But, no! We agreed to being in covenant together with YHVH, and with Jesus. (Also, marriages are covenant relationships, not merely contractual or experimental arrangements.) And even if we did not agree, but are simply created beings by Him in God’s image, we are answerable to Him. By offering Himself as the sacrifice – as if He were the guilty party – Yeshua takes full responsibility for His creation and for His sovereign governance. We did to Him what we thought about God – His holiness, His judgments, His law and commandments. We judged YHVH and found Him guilty, worthy of rejection for all that He is! God, in His goodness and lovingkindness and righteousness and mercy and wisdom offers forgiveness to all, and grants it to whomsoever repents and believes in Him and His Word. God remains faithful even if we do not. He cannot deny Himself.

1Cor 11:23-32 “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the New Covenant in my blood: this do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.

For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

You can see elements of the covenant principles in these instructions. We remember the death of Messiah, the Son of God, who paid the penalty for our transgression and our unfaithfulness against Him and our covenant relationship. This slaughtered Lamb of God took on flesh and blood at His birth, was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead on the third day; was seen alive by hundreds of witnesses for 40 days; and He ascended back to Heaven, now seated at the Father’s right hand, having all authority in Heaven and on Earth, and is interceding for us to help us finish to the praise of the Father’s glory at the resurrection of the believers when Yeshua comes again in great power and great glory. In the meantime, the Lord has left us a covenant meal to remember Him with joy and thanksgiving. Hallelu-Yah!

The New Covenant (Testament) offers sinners (whether Israel as a nation, Jewish people, Gentiles — every human being!) forgiveness of their sin of unbelief, rebellion, and dishonor against their Creator and Redeemer. (Lk 23:34) All are guilty before God without exception. (Rom 3) And it is this that we – those who have repented and believed the gospel of salvation and the Kingdom of God – celebrate in the Lord’s Supper, the communion of the justified saints through our faith in Yeshua and His death and resurrection, establishing and restoring fully our relationship and fellowship with our Father in Heaven and with His Son Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah. It was the Father’s pleasure to crush His Son for our salvation; it was Yeshua’s willingness to give His life a ransom for many. (Is 53; Mt 26:36-46) Sin has been judged; we have been forgiven; and Messiah is our food from Heaven that sustains us until we are there with Him. We have received the Spirit of God as the guarantor of the eternal life we have received, and we wait for the fulfillment of the promise within the Lord’s Supper – the coming again of the Lord and the resurrection of the believers, and the salvation of the full remnant of all the Tribes of Israel that will be “all Israel”.

As we eat the bread and drink from the cup, let us remember Who He is who has loved us so.

Gen 18:16-19 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And YHVH said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of YHVH, to do righteousness and judgment; that YHVH may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth cut (made) a covenant with Abram (Abraham) in order to preserve a holy seed, and to provide salvation to mankind, and to give an inheritance of a land and a kingdom to the children of Abraham, and of his promised son Isaac, and of his chosen grandson Jacob/Israel. We read in the New Testament that Mary, when she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit with Yeshua, understood that the promise of that covenant had to do with the Son who would be born to her, as did the priest Zecharia, the father of John the Baptizer. (Lk 1:54-55, 67-79)

Despite the knowledge of the true God in the world since the Garden of Eden, and also again from the time of the Flood, the devil and human beings turned away from the truth and made their own gods, including seeking themselves to be God. This humanism with satanic influence has not disappeared, but continues until the Antichrist claims to be as God and above every God.

YHVH God chose a man – Abram – to enter into a covenantal relationship with him in order to preserve the knowledge of the true and everlasting Sovereign God Most High, and to have a family and a people and a nation through whom the Creator would come into the world as the Redeemer and Savior from sin and death and separation from the living God of Life and of the living. YHVH will glorify His holy name in and through His chosen people Israel, and in and through the believers in Yeshua, the Body of Christ: they will be His people, and He will be their God and Father, inheriting the Kingdom of God and eternal life. Glory to God and to the Lamb upon the Throne!

It is interesting that the first thing that the LORD considers important to reveal to Abraham about what He was going to do had to do with the judgment and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. YHVH is holy and righteous, and He is the righteous Judge of all the Earth. Doing righteousness and judgment is His “way”, and is the foundation of His Throne. (Ps 89:14; 97:2) The overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah has been given as an example to people who live against the way of holiness of God. (2Pt 2:6-11) These are people who do not submit to the truth of the true God, and there is no fear of God in them. Abraham’s prayer of intercession before YHVH had to do with saving the righteous, and not to destroy them along with the wicked, and to preserve the city for the righteous to dwell in. YHVH knew, though, what He had come down to see, and to do.

YHVH tells His people through the Prophet Jeremiah that people who know Him have something to boast about: that they KNOW HIM! (Jer 9:23-26) And the Apostle Paul tells us that even more significant is the fact that God KNOWS US who believe in Yeshua! (Gal 4:9) And just as He chose Abraham out from his life of idolatry to know and to serve the living God, Paul rebukes those who have also been chosen by God to worship Him in spirit and truth who want to go back to live as we did before we knew Him, or before He knew us! (Gal 4:8-11)

God chose Abraham, and us, to know us, that we will command our children and our grandchildren in the knowledge of Him and of His way. It is a matter of life and death! We are children of Abraham in the faith if we believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures. Abraham feared God Almighty, trusted Him, and obeyed Him with living faith and hope and love. He was willing to sacrifice Isaac (and Isaac amazingly was a willing sacrifice!), his only son [in covenant], whom he loved, in obedience to the word of YHVH, fully believing that God would raise up Isaac from the dead then and there, in order to fulfill what He had spoken and promised to Abraham through this son of promise. Because of such faith, demonstrated by such a work of faith, God blessed Abraham, his future descendants, and all the peoples of the Earth, and promised him victory over his enemies. (Gen 22:11-19)

Do we know the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in such a way that we demonstrate that to our children and grandchildren by the manner in which we live, and speak of Him? Would we be willing to sacrifice our most beloved person (or even thing), if the Lord should command us to do so, testing our love for Him above all?

Remember that the New Covenant fulfills the promises of YHVH’s covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob/Israel, and to their descendants – both physical and spiritual. Physically applies to the whole House of Jacob/the House of Israel. Spiritually applies to all believers – both Jewish and Gentile – in Jesus Christ the Lord. The Law/Torah which came after, and which demands perfect obedience – does not annul those covenant promises based on faith in YHVH and in His Word. No one but God can perfectly keep His righteous commandments, and this Yeshua came and proved. With the New Covenant, God forgives the sinner who repents of their unbelief and self-righteousness in seeking their own salvation by their own standards and judgment. The believer is brought into the promises of blessing for those who believe in Jesus/Yeshua for who He Is, and in His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins and guilt.

Jesus’ resurrection confirms the promises made to the fathers, and for the sake of this one and only righteous Man, God the Father will fulfill all of His redemptive promises in His holy way, and preserve the righteous, a land, and the Earth. (Rom 15:7-13) (Abraham had pleaded with God to save Sodom if there were even 10 righteous people there.) Knowing God, and being known by Him, calls us to love one another, and to clearly train up our children in the knowledge of the true God. And as He shared His intentions with His friend Abraham, God has also revealed to us that the Day of YHVH will come, when He will judge those who oppose Him and Jesus/Yeshua and the Holy Spirit – one God. But as with Lot, He knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations to save us from His wrath. Parents must instruct their children and grandchildren in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)

We are children of Abraham if we have the faith of Abraham. God chose us to know us, so that we will know Him, and be His children who honor our Father in Heaven and Lord Jesus Christ. Not all of us have money or property to leave our children’s children. But we can leave them something of even far more and eternal value: the knowledge of the only wise God and Savior. For those who love Him, the promised blessing is overcoming the world and death, inheriting the Kingdom of God with the Lord. Grace and peace to you in His name.

Randi and I just returned two days ago from our three week ministry trip to Zambia and DRC, the last two weeks of which we had no wifi connection. A very little bit of Rip Van Winkle, and the world hasn’t changed very much. We did get home though to hear that just the day before, an incendiary balloon from Gaza landed on a street not far from Ben-Gurion University and Soroka Medical Center. As the wind blows….

Israel continues to be pressed on every side: God is squeezing her so that His people will repent and return to Him; the nations are both envious and spiteful, and want her undoing; the devil is trying to take as many with him as he can, and blame the God of Israel and the Lord Jesus Christ for their condemnation. Meanwhile, the gospel goes out to all human beings, for whom Yeshua died, taking the blame for our sins and guilt, that we may be forgiven, and receive eternal life with Him! Amazing!! With God, all things are possible!!! Fear Him and give Him glory!!!!

The grace of God was with us through the three weeks. In Zambia it is easier, because there they speak English. In DRC, despite the communication issues, they take good care of us, as in Zambia, doing all they can to protect us from harm of all kinds. The conference theme in Lusaka (Chilanga province; Linda Compound neighborhood) was “The Blessing of Abraham to Africa and The World”. In DRC (in a village called Mulungwishi, about 100 miles from Lubumbashi and a three-hour car ride), that conference theme was “Preparing for The Second Coming of Our King JESUS in Glory, and All Eyes Shall See Him”. The work of the school for orphans and other vulnerable children operated through Pastor Victor Kunda in the poor Linda neighborhood is growing, but they are in need of finishing some construction of classrooms. (Any skilled and willing volunteers among you?) A primary and secondary school in an outlying section of Lubumbashi, directed by the son of Bishop Kalembo Wa Kasongo, our host, is growing. It is named H. Randi Bass School!

The poor are rich in faith, and they sacrificially thank and praise God. We have much to learn from them who know what it is to suffer and struggle daily with life and living. When things become really difficult, they will know much better than many of us how to cope and to overcome the hardship. At the end of the Congolese conference, they even took up a sacrificial offering for the believers in Israel, unknowingly fulfilling what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Gentile believers to do for the believers in Israel. Their example is exemplary: they really had very little to give, and the Lord sees how much they had left. God richly bless them!

In both places, the pastor and bishop have a great love for Israel and the Jewish people, and do all they can to inform their churches and to pray constantly and passionately for the salvation of the Jews and for the nation of Israel. This is all by the Spirit of God over a period of years, even before I met them in 2006 at a reconciliation conference in Zimbabwe (EARP, for those who might be familiar). Some of the believers there, including among the pastors, can not tell you WHERE Israel is located. Some do not have a good working knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures. Some have absolutely no news or information of current events here; but by the Spirit of God He has put into them to pray and to connect with His purpose here! This is the sovereignty and the wisdom of God, and He gives grace to the simple, and abases the proud.

Whenever we go to teach outside, we make it clear that Jesus is the center of things in God’s covenants and purpose: whether we speak of Israel, or of the Body of Messiah (the Church); of current events among the nations and their relevance to us in light of the prophetic outlook to the coming again of the Lord. We also call believers to repentance, as we see that throughout the New Testament epistles and Revelation. We call unbelievers to repentance and to faith in the gospel for their salvation. Israel does not recognize me to send me out as an ambassador; I go as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God, and ask the Lord to help me by the Holy Spirit to be faithful to Him and to His word and plan, to bring all things in Heaven and Earth back under the Father’s governance in Christ/Messiah, to the praise of His glory. (Eph 1:1-14) We want to give hope for eternity that is helpful in our practical life now, promoting holiness in the fear of God, being prepared as a pure and holy Bride for our pure and holy Bridegroom when He should come. Each nation’s hope is bound up with Israel’s salvation; Israel’s salvation comes through great tribulation which brings the remnant nation to call upon Yeshua/Jesus/Yehovah to save them; the believers are called to evangelize until the end of the age, and to be witnesses of the truth of Messiah being Jesus, and to love His people, even the least of His brethren.

As children of Abraham in the faith, Christian believers are called to be the blessing in their communities and world that God promised would be through Abraham’s seed — even Messiah, and through Him those who believe in Him. Abraham KNEW the true God, who KNEW him so that children of Abraham would also command their children in the way of the one, true, living God, knowing that there is no other God worth the name, and there is no other hope but through Him. Yeshua said that Abraham saw His day, and was glad. Abraham looked for the city built by God, and understood that he was a stranger and a sojourner in this world. He could have turned back, but he pressed onward; and God is not ashamed of those like him to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them/us. (Heb 11:8-16)

Thank-you all for your prayers and loving support and friendship. God is good…all the time.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/ministry-update-2-aug-2018/feed/0Incendiary Balloons Reach Beer Sheva near Hospital and Universityhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/incendiary-balloons-reach-beer-sheva-near-hospital-and-university/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/incendiary-balloons-reach-beer-sheva-near-hospital-and-university/#respondTue, 31 Jul 2018 10:18:28 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6406Continue reading "Incendiary Balloons Reach Beer Sheva near Hospital and University"]]>Incendiary balloons sent over from Gaza, which have destroyed thousands of agricultural acreage over the past months, and have required the constant costs of both anxiety and fire and safety teams, have now been blown as far east as Beer Sheva. Israel has still not found a suitable solution to this form of warfare and terrorism.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/incendiary-balloons-reach-beer-sheva-near-hospital-and-university/feed/01Pt 3:13-22: Witnesses for Yeshua Through Suffering for Righteousnesshttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/1pt-313-22-witnesses-for-yeshua-through-suffering-for-righteousness/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/1pt-313-22-witnesses-for-yeshua-through-suffering-for-righteousness/#respondSat, 16 Jun 2018 10:44:46 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6394Continue reading "1Pt 3:13-22: Witnesses for Yeshua Through Suffering for Righteousness"]]>Yeshua says that His disciples are His witnesses in the world, and that as He was in the world, so are we to be. (1Jn 2:6; Phlp 1:27-30) A disciple is not above His teacher. The Father loved His only-begotten Son, and Jesus suffered and died in obedience to His love for and trust in God His Father.

The Apostle Peter did not want to accept that the Messiah would suffer and be rejected to the extent that He was. And Peter did not want to suffer for being a disciple of Yeshua. . . . until he learned that this is the way of YHVH in this world to fulfill all righteousness, in order to save those persons who repent and believe, and to condemn those who will not.

The Apostle Paul exhorts all believers everywhere to pray for those in leadership and authority in the world (and in the churches), so that we might have a quiet and peaceable life. (1Tim 2:1-6) The Lord Jesus teaches, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets before you!” (Mt 5:10-12)

We are not yet in the future fulfillment of the Kingdom of God, when all will be good and, ultimately, perfect. In this present evil world, the righteous believers in God through faith in Yeshua the Messiah/Jesus Christ can expect unjust suffering, just as Yeshua did…and as Paul did (after he himself, as Saul, caused unjust suffering to the believers!). This is the will of God as the Righteous Judge and Savior. We are witnesses to the truth of Messiah being Jesus, and of the Kingdom of God, in which Yeshua/Jesus is the King. And so Peter writes to us in the portion of his epistle that we will look at now. (1Pt 3:13-22)

v 9-12 Peter wrote that we are to live righteously in this world at every level of our lives, in order to be a blessing, and to inherit a blessingv 13 And, he writes: who will harm us if we are zealous for what is good?
–Normally, no one. We usually need not fear if we are doing what is good and right.
–Laws and cultural norms protect people who are “good”, and punish those who are “bad”. (e.g., not driving on Yom Kippur is a cultural norm in Israel, not a written law; speed limits are laws). Keeping laws and customs generally protect you and have approval; breaking them does not, at least by those who are followers of what is good.

–Paul writes that we are all to submit to the governing authorities, because they are of God. Not to submit to them, to recognize them, is to act against God. If we choose, in a certain circumstance to refuse to abide by the law, or the custom, we must do so humbly acknowledging their authority to penalize or to punish us. (Rom 13:1-5)

v 14-17 But. . . even if we suffer for righteousness’ sake, we are blessed, and should not be troubled or afraid.
–Keep on doing good, and be prepared to tell the opposers why we have such a hope that we would rather suffer now for being believers and living holy lives, rather than joining ourselves to those who do not fear or know or love the true God and Savior. If your employer or commander or husband or wife asks you to sin, e.g., to lie or cheat or steal, do not do so; but maybe there is a way to comply without sinning. We are to have a humble spirit and the fear of God. Let the Holy Spirit work to make our false accusers be ashamed of our good behavior. Our conscience is clear: we know who we believe in, and to whom we have committed our souls for salvation in the day of judgment.

This is a principle in our lives as disciples of Yeshua: in the world we will have tribulation, and we overcome the world by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and by loving Jesus more than fearing pain and death for the sake of believing and following Him.

Our supreme example for this is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself – God who took on flesh and blood – who is our Redeemer and Savior from sin and our separation from God. The triune YHVH God decide from before time began that He would come to become the slaughtered and bloodied sacrifice for the sin of the world, and for the sins of every human being. He knew that the innumerable animal sacrifices which He commanded Israel to offer for their sins would not suffice, would not truly affect their conscience or produce righteousness. Yeshua was born for that purpose, and was hated without a cause and treated shamefully. This is the love and the wisdom and the righteousness of God!

v 18 “For Messiah also suffered once for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh (i.e., He died physically), but made alive by the Spirit (i.e., He rose from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit).”
–It is Jesus who brings us to God – to God the Father. There are not “many ways to God” – at least not to the one, true, living God. Jesus says that no one comes to the Father but by Him. We do not come into the presence of God on our own merits, but only through our faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross for our sins, and in His resurrection, when He opened up the way for all who accept His sacrifice on their behalf to come to God, the Creator of the Heavens and Earth.

–Our Lord and Savior suffered as if He were a sinner and a transgressor of God’s Torah; but, no! He alone was the perfectly obedient Son of God and Son of Man. It is written that even though He was a son, He suffered to learn obedience. He learned as a flesh-and-blood human being to put His complete trust and hope in God His Father.
This is our lesson, as well: we are to learn to obey the commandments even through suffering unrighteously, in order to show that Jesus Christ is our Lord, that we are HIS disciples; and in being so, that we are sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven. Our hope and trust in God is based on His promise of eternal life to those who love Him; and Jesus says that if we love Him, then we will obey Him. A proof is in the illogical suffering for “being good” in the face of evil! May we believe God for His sufficient grace in such trials, even as Paul and Peter could testify.

Yeshua is our High Priest, who because of sharing in our sufferings, is able to help us when we share in the fellowship of His sufferings. (Phlp 3:10; Heb 4:14-16)

v 19-20 “by whom (the Holy Spirit) also He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water.” (Eph 4:7-10; Jude 6)
–Notice here that Peter believed that the Flood and Noah were real historic facts in human history, and the Holy Spirit has inspired him to use them as examples for our instruction.
–Peter is also encouraging us that believing and obeying God brings salvation, even if a large majority do not agree and ridicule the minority who do.

–Yeshua fulfilled the Word of God in all that He was and did, and I believe that in the ‘strange’ passage here, we can also see the fulfillment of what the Law (Torah) could hint at, but not accomplish. On the Day of Atonements, the sacrifice of atonement allowing God to forgive and be reconciled with His people was accomplished by two goats: one sacrificed wholly unto YHVH God; the other sent away alive to Azazel, to an uninhabitable place outside the camp, carrying away all the sins of all the people and of all that made up their civil and religious life. (Lev 16) We know that Yeshua fulfilled this substitutionary atoning sacrifice by Himself: in the Garden of Gethsemane to the Father, when He submitted wholly to His Father’s will, sweating drops of blood, and on the cross where He became sin for us, and suffered the wrath of God in our place. (Lk 22:39-44; Mt 27:45-46; 2Cor 5:20-21) In Yeshua’s burial, it is the putting away of all our sins – with their guilt and defilement — to an uninhabitable place, and out of God’s sight, as it were. The sins of the people have been atoned for, and God can dwell with all who accept that sacrifice and shed blood for their own sins, understanding that Jesus did not sin.

While in Sheol/Hades/the underworld (not the ultimate Hell), by the Spirit (Yeshua’s body was in the grave), Yeshua proclaimed (not ‘preached’, since there is not “evangelism” to those who have already died, or to the angelic beings at any time) to the spirits in prison His victory by His death on the cross over sin and the devil, and that by that He has accomplished salvation for sinners, and God is reconciled to man – both to His chosen people and to all others. (Whenever dead people in Sheol are spoken of, they are referred to as souls, not spirits; e.g., Rev 6:9-11) All of those spirit beings who were disobedient and had participated in Satan’s rebellion, and those who had mixed with the daughters of men in the generations of Noah, now knew that the Son of God was supreme, and was also their Judge. They had made a huge mistake to believe Lucifer’s (who became the Devil) complaints and accusations against His and their very own Creator!

Just as Noah had been vindicated by God through his faith and obedience, and was saved through the waters of the flood by being in the ark which God had commanded him to construct, so Jesus was vindicated by God through His obedience to being crucified to death on the cross for the sins of everyone else – the Just for the unjust. (Phlp 2:5-11)

And God will vindicate us, too, if we are willing to suffer – if it be God’s will — for believing in and obeying Jesus in a world opposed to Him, and by those – even if within our own family, or circle of friends, or our church – who cause us to suffer for His sake. You remember in Yeshua’s first parable about the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, the one about the sower and the seed, the second type of person received the Word of God and believed it immediately with joy; but when trouble came because of his faith, he did not endure, because of having no root, and stumbled immediately. (Mt 13:5-6, 20-21) We need to grow deep in the truth of who our God and Savior is, that we can do His will and stand in the day of evil! And we need to help and support each other in brotherly love.

v21-22 “There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer/pledge of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into Heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” (Mt 28:18; Eph 1:19-23)
–Peter is not telling us here that baptism saves us; in fact he is saying that the waters of baptism themselves are something of the flesh and not spiritual. (Jn 1:26-34) But what he is emphasizing is that being baptized is a declaration in the spirit of our loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ, and this in a world under the strong influence of the arch-enemy, the devil, and his lies. That is what Noah and his family did: they obeyed God with faith, and He saved them through the waters of the flood which destroyed the world then. This is what Israel did on the Passover in Egypt: they were saved from God’s wrath against the first-born by believing and obeying Him to slaughter a lamb and put its blood on their doorposts; but then they needed to also believe and obey when God told Moses and them to cross over the Reed Sea on dry ground, which separated them from the Egyptian pursuers – drowned by those same waters — and from the life they had lived in Egypt.

Noah came out to a changed world from what he knew before entering the ark; the Israelis crossed over to freedom, leaving Egypt and hard bondage behind them. Believers in Jesus are told to be baptized/immersed in water, as an answer of a good conscience that we have chosen of our own free will to become identified with Jesus, who is despised and rejected by His own people and by the world that He created and made. We proclaim that we belong to Jesus! It is an act of spiritual warfare, and we declare through the waters of our baptism that we are willing to suffer rejection in our own society and culture by being baptized in water in His name. Our sins were buried with Messiah. Jesus died and rose from the dead. He has all authority over all those who are living and dead, over all those who believe or do not believe. All are subject to Him. He is Lord of all, and the Judge of all. He was vindicated by His resurrection, and we, through baptism in water, identify with Him by faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. After becoming a believer, I spoke with a rabbi at my mother’s request. I asked him if he still thought that I was a Jew, since my mother didn’t. He said, “Yes, unless you have been baptized”. It is not the rabbis who determine and define our identity, but God; and my conscience is clear. I believed, and I obeyed my Lord and my God.

Again, baptism as a believer is the believer taking responsibility for his own faith in humble subjection and obedience to the Lord. It is not passively accepting what our parents might have done for any of you as infants, or expected of you as “Christian” teenagers, but actively obeying the Lord of our own free will. Nor can we say, as believers, that we already have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, so we don’t need to baptized in water. This is not the testimony of Scripture, and all of the baptisms that we read about in Acts and onward were after Yeshua was already seated at the right hand of the Father, and the Holy Spirit had already been given to believers. We have changed our allegiance to the true God and King; we are not giving ourselves an excuse by saying that my parents baptized me as a baby, so I never got baptized because of my own faith.

Circumcision in Israel is a sign of YHVH’s covenant with the Jewish people, and parents are expected to exercise their faith and identification with the Chosen People by circumcising their infant sons. Circumcision does not save any Jewish person, yet under the Law refusal to circumcise a son cut them off from the covenant people; it, too, is a covenant act which consecrated the people to YHVH; but each Israeli and Jewish person must come to his own personal faith in the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob through believing in the promised Messiah and Savior, Yeshua, the Son of God….and be baptized in His name.

It is an act that publicly proclaims our faith, which saves us, and the grace of God will help us overcome suffering, to honor His Son for those fulfilling this righteous act of obedience to the faith. Those who refuse to be baptized as believers will need to give an answer to God. (Circumcision today can also be a proclamation in the spirit for Jews belonging to the God of Israel, as more countries seek to ban circumcision of anyone under the age of 18, thus making void God’s commandment to His chosen people.)

So to close, Peter learned what it is to suffer as a disciple of Yeshua, and He was willing to suffer even more in His love for Him (being crucified upside down, according to tradition). Have you/we believed that Jesus took my/your/our sins and put them away forever, so that we can live in the presence of the Holy God? Have you subjected to Him and obeyed Him by being baptized as a believer, regardless of the danger it might put you in among your own people and family and culture? (In Israel and the wider Middle East, also Muslims who come to faith in Yeshua face such danger.) Are we prepared to confess our faith in Yeshua’s/Jesus’ name, even if it makes us a target for some measure of persecution? I know that growing up as a Jew among mostly Gentile American Christians, it was not always comfortable to be known as a Jew – and we did not understand why we suffered from them — but that is who/what I am. In Israel, it is not always comfortable for people to know that I am a believer in Yeshua/Jesus, but that is who/what I am. And Peter is telling us why we will suffer as a Christian. “So let us go forth to [Yeshua/Jesus], outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come”. (Heb 13:13-14)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/1pt-313-22-witnesses-for-yeshua-through-suffering-for-righteousness/feed/0Heavy Negev Rains Into Junehttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/heavy-negev-rains-into-june/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/heavy-negev-rains-into-june/#respondThu, 14 Jun 2018 07:15:41 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6392Continue reading "Heavy Negev Rains Into June"]]>The rainy season in Israel, especially in the southern desert region, normally ends by Passover, or sometime in April. Between Passover and Shavuot/Pentecost we are more accustomed to hot dry winds and dust. This year we have seen an unusually high amount of rainfall — some deadly in their effects — well into June. This is highly unusual. This year so far, June has seen the second highest rainfall in Israel, only behind 1992. But the Negev has seen some historic amounts of rain during this period, and this month.

We know that many people pray for rain in Israel, and rainfall is definitely needed . . . . during the rainy season. The blessing of God regarding rain is the right amount at the right time — not simply rain in quantities. It is always nice to have the occasional summer rain shower to break the heat and wash off the dust from everything.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/heavy-negev-rains-into-june/feed/0Generational Transference: We and Our Fathershttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/generational-transference-we-and-our-fathers/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/generational-transference-we-and-our-fathers/#respondTue, 22 May 2018 07:39:48 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6382Continue reading "Generational Transference: We and Our Fathers"]]>The righteousness and justice of God: His ways are not ours; His thoughts not ours. Repentance begins with agreeing with Him and learning from Him. The truth sets us free, and humbles us to first judge ourselves of the log in our own eyes, so that we can better help others with their specks. Glory to our Father in Heaven and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah/Jesus Christ!

Heb 7:8-10 Here men that die receive tithes; but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receives tithes, paid tithes in Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

1Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ/Messiah shall all be made alive.

Lev 4:3, 13-14 If the priest that is anointed does sin, bringing guilt upon the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he has sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto YHVH for a sin offering. . . . And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty; When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.

Lev 26:40-45 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;

And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.

The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.

And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am YHVH their God.

But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am YHVH.

Ex 13:8 And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, This is done because of what YHVH did for me when I came out of Egypt.

Ex 34:6-7 And YHVH passed by before him, and proclaimed, YHVH, YHVH God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

Dt 6:23 And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he swore unto our fathers.

Mt 23:29-36 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the monuments of the righteous,

And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Wherefore you be witnesses against yourselves, that you are the children of them who killed the prophets.

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers!

Serpents, brood of vipers, how can you escape the condemnation of hell?

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them you shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall you scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Berechiyah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Verily I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation.

Mt 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Zech 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn son.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/generational-transference-we-and-our-fathers/feed/0March of the Nations – 15 May 2018https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/march-of-the-nations-15-may-2018/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/march-of-the-nations-15-may-2018/#respondWed, 16 May 2018 12:25:50 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6378Continue reading "March of the Nations – 15 May 2018"]]>Yesterday Randi and I were treated as special guests at the March of the Nations events in Jerusalem. This year’s event was the first time that it had been held in Israel, and it was done so in honor of Israel’s 70th year celebrations, and especially in honor of — as are all of the Marches of the Nations around the world each year — Holocaust survivors and their families. One of the victims spoke about surviving two death marches, but having participated in five Marches of Life. His life after the horrors of WW2 and the Nazi death camps is a story of death and restoration: 22 members of his family, including two great-grandchildren, live in Israel today.

Up to 6000 people from over 40 nations came together with their nations’ flags, and heard moving testimonies from children and grandchildren of Nazi perpetrators express their heart-felt remorse over what their families and country did in the extermination of 6,000,000 Jews during the Holocaust, simply because they were Jews.

Jobst Bittner, from Tubingen, who with his wife Charlotte, founded the March of the Nations more than 10 years ago, as a means of breaking the silence of not speaking about the Holocaust and the guilt upon the nation of Germany, and upon Christians and churches who turned a blind eye and did nothing to intervene. This march has spread to countries around the world around the time of Holocaust Remembrance Day, to express solidarity with the Jewish people and with the State of Israel. Many, probably most, of these participants are Christians, who are confessing their sins against God and His people, and how so much anti-Semitism has become part of Christianity.

It is important to note here that anti-Semitism did not begin with Christians or with the ‘Church’, but was already manifested by Pharoah against the Hebrews during the time of Moses and the Exodus, and by Haman, who served in the court of the Persian king during the time of Mordecai and Queen Esther. It is an irrational hatred and contempt for the people whom YHVH has chosen to be His beloved and holy people; therefore, anti-Semitism is really spiritually directed against God.

It was actually exciting to walk through the well-known (to us) streets of Jerusalem in the big crowd, and to witness how the marchers and flag-bearers came bearing peace and good-will for Israel and the Jewish people. There was also a gala performance by well-known musicians, singers, and dancers to the delight of the thousands of people — including 1500 Holocaust survivors and descendants — held in Sultan’s Pool in the evening. Helping Hand Coalition, an Israeli-based charity founded and directed by Andre & Bozena Gasiorowski to assist Holocaust survivors here, also helped organize the events of the day.

We must also not keep silent about God’s righteous judgments still to come. Jacob’s Trouble is still coming; the Jewish people still do not know YHVH or accept their need to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to love and to serve Him with all their heart. The nations will also come to know that YHVH is the true God, and He is the God of Israel. He is powerful and faithful to save the remnant of His people through such great tribulation, and we must not leave them unprepared, or our churches to suffer with them. As John the Baptiser prophesied: Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, and with fire. Holy is the LORD.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/march-of-the-nations-15-may-2018/feed/0Giro D’Italia Race Thru Negev from Beer Sheva to Eilat – 07 May 2018https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/negev/giro-ditalia-race-thru-negev-from-beer-sheva-to-eilat-07-may-2018/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/negev/giro-ditalia-race-thru-negev-from-beer-sheva-to-eilat-07-may-2018/#respondMon, 07 May 2018 13:00:11 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6374Continue reading "Giro D’Italia Race Thru Negev from Beer Sheva to Eilat – 07 May 2018"]]>Yesterday marked an historic sporting event in the Negev: the prestigious European bicycling race, Giro D’Italia, competed for the first time outside of Europe, being attracted to Jerusalem and to Israel. This marks another accomplishment for Israel in her 70th year celebrations. In the third leg of the Israeli location, 176 cyclists took just over 5 hours to race from Beer Sheva to Eilat. (By comparison, a car ride would take close to 3 hours.)

Ex 35:4-9 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and SCARLET, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense, And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate. (emphasis mine; i.e., the author’s)

Back in the Spring of 2015, I was at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Redrock (ASPC-Redrock) in Eloy, Arizona, where I was enrolled in a horticulture class with about 17 other inmates, including a good friend of many years by the name of Jacob.

We were given small plots of ground to prep and grow such vegetables as tomatoes, cilantro, cantaloupe, watermelon, corn, eggplant, peppers (we had ghost pepper eating challenges), chamomille, sage, and other spices, etc., etc. The sage plant we had was particularly prolific in sprouting fragrant leaves which the Native Americans enjoy using in their ceremonies; we also enjoyed the soothing effects of the leaves by placing one inside our lower lip like a chew. We were also given space to grow plants in a fairly large greenhouse which was attached to our classroom.

Jacob is a Hebrew-speaking Conservative Jew whom I had the pleasure of studying Torah with each Sabbath. One particular Shabbat Jacob and I were studying Parashah 19, Terumah (Ex 25:1 – 27:19). Jacob made the comment that, for the purpose of learning Hebrew, Parashah Terumah was a good section to study due to the variety of words used throughout its chapters.

Jacob and I took turns reading Parashah Terumah in Hebrew, and he did a great job of breaking apart each word syllable by syllable; especially when it came to the listed items to be contributed in the building of the Tabernacle. I was fascinated as Jacob dissected each word. Take the word copper (brass) for instance: in Hebrew the word describes the color from the inside of a cobra’s mouth!

Of particular interest was the word tola’at, which was used to describe the color crimson. Tola’at is also one of three other words used in Hebrew for the word worm. Jacob explained that the tola’at is a special worm that was crushed to make the crimson dye used to dye the thread used in making cloth for the Tabernacle. Exodus 35:6 has a special construct for this color, combining the two Hebrew words tola’at (crimson) and sheni (scarlet). Sheni’s root word, shani, means division and the number two. I asked Jacob if he knew why both these words were combined throughout the book of Shemot/Exodus (sometimes the order is reversed). He didn’t know, . . . it just was. The only other time that sheni and tola’at are seen in such close proximity is in Is 1:18:

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet (sheni), they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson (tola’at), they shall be as wool.”

About six months later, in the Fall of that year, our horticulture class was coming to an end and we were removing all the plants from outdoors to clear plots for a new group of students. We re-potted the well producing plants, including the sage plant, and placed them on tables in the greenhouse.

At that time, I was reading and meditating on Psalm 22 which many equate with the sufferings of Yeshua on the Roman cross. I highly recommend that you read it for yourself with Yeshua in mind because it’s astounding how it appears to be describing someone suffering on a cross. The Gospel accounts quote Yeshua crying out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?” (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:37), which is the first verse of Psalm 22. “They pierced my hands and my feet” is found in verse 16. The Gospels also record that the Roman soldiers cast lots (dice) to see who would get Jesus’ robe as foretold in verse 18. I read verse six of the Psalm:

“But I am a WORM and no man; a reproach of men, and despi­­sed of the people.” (emphasis mine),

and thought, could this worm be the same tola’at which I had studied six months earlier with Jacob?

The next morning in class I spoke to Jacob, who sits next to me at the same table. I asked what the name of the worm in Shemot (Exodus) was again, and he penciled the word tola’at on the cover of my manila class folder. Looking at that word I couldn’t help feeling I was being reunited with an old friend. Later that day, I looked up the many occurrences of tola’at in the Scriptures, and again read it in Isaiah 1:18. Sheni (scarlet) is linked to the purity of snow. Tola’at is combined with wool, the wool of a lamb. Many are unware that two of the three Hebrew words for worm are used in Job 25:6:

“How much less man, that is a worm (rimmah)? And the SON OF MAN, who is a worm (tola’at)? (emphasis mine)

The word rimmah (Strong’s 7415) means a rapidly breeding maggot and is associated with mankind in this verse (ouch!). Tola’at (Strong’s 8438), as mentioned earlier, can mean both worm (grub) or the color crimson. Job 25:6 was the first time I saw the word Tola’at (worm) associated with the son of man, which was a term Yeshua called Himself by. The term Son of Man is also the term used for the Messiah who approaches the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:13.

So now we have tola’at, which means both worm and the color crimson, closely associated with the wool of a lamb and the term son of man . . . do I need to call Captain Obvious to explain who this is pointing to?

Having read this verse many times I naturally thought tola’at was speaking prophetically of Messiah’s humiliation to the point that He didn’t even view Himself as a man. Didn’t Adonai say through Isaiah, regarding the Children of Israel’s lowly estate, “Fear not, thou worm (tola’at) Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel?” (Is 41:14)

In light of my recent discoveries of the dual meanings of the word tola’at, an epiphany emerged – a startling and ghastly epiphany of the tola’at worm being crushed into an unrecognizable mass in order to obtain it’s precious dye. It was in my mind’s eye a crimson, pulpy mess.

My lower lip began to tremble, my eyes brimmed with tears as I saw this alternative meaning. I envisioned our Passover lamb, Messiah, being crushed for the sins of the world, not only crying out to His Father, “I am a worm and not a man”, but, “I am tola’at and no longer resemble a man.” I remembered the badly burned child I saw on a talk show whose face was horribly disfigured when he got trapped in a house fire. He no longer looked like the adorable child in their family portraits. During the interview the pained mother described the helplessness and guilt she felt over the years as her son suffered the grotesque appearance thrust upon him by the tragedy. The fire had been her fault.

Was Yeshua relaying to His Father that His grotesque appearance, as a result of being so badly beaten and lacerated – His bloodied face and body were no longer recognizable as a man created in the image of God? Is this Man of Sorrows looking up to Heaven crying, “Look at Me! I am crushed; I am poured out a bloody mess; I am no longer recognizable as your Son. I am TOLA’AT!. . . .

“As many as were astonished at thee; his VISAGE was so marred more than any man, and his FORM more than the sons of men.” (Is 52:14; emphasis mine)

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” (Is 53:3-7; emphasis mine)

The next morning in class my lessons in tola’at would continue.

The following day our class was abuzz with activity, with students wrapping up all the loose ends needed to get the class ready for the arrival of the new students plus cramming for the final exam. I was in the greenhouse working with my potted plants when a rather large fellow student went to the sage plant on my table and vigorously started plucking leaves as if he were plucking a chicken. We had learned in class that if you take more than a third of a plant’s leaves you run the risk of killing the plant. The sage plant was shared among all of us, and we usually took no more than a few leaves at a time. I told the youngster he risked killing the plant, and he told me in so many words to shut up (he used spicier language). I told him, “Seriously, you need to take it easy or you’re going to kill it.” He became enraged that I was up in his business, and he let me know in so many words that if I didn’t shut up that he would beat me up. I tried to reason with him that we all share the plant’s leaves, and if he kills this one, we all lose. I tried to diffuse the situation but he wanted no part of it. He was being a bully, and I suppose he was used to guys backing down when threatened with physical harm. To his and my surprise, I told him if he was dead-set on taking it outside, then let’s go. I told him I wasn’t afraid of bullies no matter how big they were. Strangely enough, I said that I would only fight to protect myself, that I would not strike him. He thought I was nuts.

On our way outside, one of my friends says, “Don’t go. You’re an O.G. (old guy; old gangster; in my case, “old geezer”), and you don’t need to fight to prove you’re not a coward. You don’t have to fight anymore like the youngsters. No one will say anything if you don’t go outside.” True enough, I had fought many times and accounted well for myself, winning some and losing some, yet for some strange reason, I felt compelled to go outside even though I was badly outmatched, even if only to stand up to him unafraid.

I stepped outside into the sunshine and there by the doorway he quickly launched into a serious barrage of punches and whirling haymakers which I was able to successfully avoid for a while. Eventually I got knocked down, and he landed on top of me and began to mercilessly pound me on the face. I could only block some of the blows as they continued unabated in rapid succession.

A normal person will stop hitting when a guy is down; especially when the guy is just shy of sixty years. But not this tatted-up sociopath. He stepped it up another notch and continued pummeling away. After a while of this I figured the kid must be getting tired of me hitting his fists with my face, but no, he kicked it yet into another gear. I soon realized – I have never been hit like this in my life. On…and on…it went. I was surprised that I was still conscious.

Mercifully, a teacher’s aide by the name of Carl stuck his head out the door and told the guy that an officer was coming. (He lied). The youngster got up and ran off to the other side of the building, leaving me dazed but relieved that it was over. I was happy and amazed that I was okay and felt no pain, not bad for an old guy. (I would sadly later learn this was due to the adrenalin rush.) I quickly got up and entered the greenhouse feeling happy that I had just experienced the thrashing of my life unscathed. Looking at the guys gathered in the greenhouse wearing shocked expressions, I quickly realized something was wrong. I looked down at what was now a barely orange shirt shimmering wet with a crimson flow of blood; there was also a trail of blood following, leading to a red Rorschach blot** of blood where I had previously lain on the ground. (I could easily read it as a testament to my lack of intelligence in going out to fight in the first place.) I looked back at them to see that the focus of their unnerving stares wasn’t the trail of red, but my face. I was a bloody mess with a torrent of blood gushing out of my nose. Looking downward I could see my nose was an open faucet pouring mi sangria on the ground.

Being a former nurse with many years of surgical experience, I immediately knew I was in trouble. I had taken care of many a post-op rhinoplasty (nasal surgery), and the biggest concern medical staff have after a rhinoplasty is that of stemming the flow of blood. Rhinoplasties carry the unique “complication” of patients bleeding to death.

Jacob then blurted out, “Look, Delay, tola’at!”

I lifted my head upwards and held paper towels to my nose, which left me choking on the blood backing out the back of my mouth. I as spitting up gobs of blood. The bleeding wouldn’t stop! Panic was beginning to set in and I began praying to God those prayers we fearfully pray when we think “this might be the end”. “Father, forgive me for all my sins, I may be coming home today. I want to be ready to meet you.”

Scared that my “Carrie”-like appearance would trigger alarms, my short-lived relief turned into frantic activity as I washed my face and stripped off my shirt and pants to wash in the water tub used to fill our water cans. I’m in the greenhouse in my skivvies! – what a nice disciplinary write-up that would be. I wrung out my clothes and put them back on and re-entered the classroom. All the guys in class were relieved to see that I was okay. Then, right there in class, my nose spontaneously opened up again, to which Jacob ran and quickly placed some paper towels on my nose while raising my head up. My teacher suspiciously looked at my face, then walked on thinking I was just having a nose bleed.

Jacob then blurted out, “Look Delay, ‘tola’at!” I dizzily looked down to see him nodding in the direction of my manila folder where he had penciled the word on the cover the day before. We both froze momentarily staring at the Hebrew word for crimson scribbled in graphite. I went into a state of shock, but not from blood loss. . . . In a flash I recalled my suffering, thorn-crowned Messiah on a Roman cross. Again I saw Messiah as described in Isaiah 52:14, and 53:3-7, marred beyond recognition atop Golgotha’s hill (Calvary), and thought of my sins, of the victim of my crime, and, strangely enough, of a young clergyman I had given two black eyes to at a church many years ago. . . . Stan Runnels, wherever you are, I’m deeply sorry.*t

I stared at Jacob only to see him staring uneasily back at me. It was he who had yelled out tola’at! as if he had seen a ghost. I could see by his pallid and pensive countenance that he was having to seriously weigh a shocking idea that could topple the apple cart of his well-ordered Jewish life forever. Was he seeing the Suffering Messiah of Isaiah 53 as clearly as I had seen Him? I had talked of Yeshua’s Messiahship many times before to the point of irritating him. I took the hint that he no longer cared to discuss it anymore; yet, despite this, we had remained good friends. I now sensed that God was doing something beyond the words shared in the past. Peculiar enough, Jacob and I never discussed that day again. It just never came up. We were both troubled by it.

The next day my head bloomed into a lovely, dark, purple-hued blossom. I looked like a post-Tyson fight survivor, and now I encapsulated how a walnut feels inside a nutcracker. My face was badly swollen, and the next day in class, my teacher, Ms. Reap (what a name for a horticulture teacher), now certain that “that was no normal nosebleed”, sent me to medical to get checked out.

The doctor asked what happened, and I gave the stock reply normally given by inmates . . . that I was the victim of a rather rough basketball game. Giving me an unamused “knowing” look, the doc then went through the routine of checking for any serious injuries and had me sign a form stating that I was not in any imminent danger of bodily harm, and that I felt safe to be back on the yard (which was true). Feeling legally safe for both himself and the facility, the doctor sent me home with a prescription for ibuprofen. Thank God, nothing was broken.

What occurred caused an uproar on the yard, and some wanted to go after the youngster for disrespecting an O.G., but I quickly quelled it saying that I did not want anyone to interfere with a fair fight, and as far as I was concerned “it was tuvo” (over). I got a lot of respect on the yard for not “dry-snitching” to the doctor, and a week later I reached out to the kid and we became friends. I think he was grateful that I didn’t snitch on him to the prison staff, and for not allowing the situation to escalate into further violence via reprisals. I may have saved him from getting jumped (he was being followed and mocked on the yard by some veteranos – real O.G.’s). What can I say? He was a knucklehead youngster. This place is full of them. On top of that, he wasn’t my main concern at the time. I was focused on tola’at and it’s meaning. . . . I was still in shock over that vision of Messiah. Strangely, I was kind of grateful to the kid for expanding my understanding of Psalm 22:6. Ultimately, I chose to view him as a tool uniquely used by the LORD to deepen my understanding of Messiah’s sufferings, and claimed faith that God was using the situation for good. (Rom 8:28)

Back in my cell, laying on my bunk, I was painfully and uncomfortably getting a small taste of what TOLA’AT entailed. My face was grotesquely swollen and one big purple mess. I went everywhere wearing sunglasses and a ball cap to hide my unpleasant appearance. Pain pills were useless. The pain was such that I couldn’t sleep at night; consequently I had plenty of time to mull over tola’at’s compound joining with sheni in Shemot (Exodus).

Here’s what I came up with:

As mentioned earlier, sheni is Hebrew for the color scarlet. It’s root, shani, is also the word for the number two and the word division. I envisioned scarlet threads of redemption throughout the Bible, such as the scarlet cord on Zerah’s wrist at childbirth, and the scarlet cord outside of Rahab’s window in Jericho. These two examples mark a separation between the righteous and the unrighteous. Regarding the root shani and its relation to the number two and to the word division, I recalled something I had discovered years ago in the Scriptures that involved the numbers 400 and 430. I saw that the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenant are separated by 430 years.

In Genesis 10:25 and 11:16-17 we learn that Eber lived 430 years and begat Peleg. It is said that in the days of Peleg the lands were DIVIDED, not to mention that Eber (the ancestor of the Hebrews) means crossing over. Fast forward to Abraham and we see him put to sleep where a great darkness overwhelms him, and he sees a burning torch passing through the MIDDLE of several DIVIDED animals. God tells Abraham that his descendants will be enslaved by a foreign nation for 400 years. After 430 years Israel leaves Egypt (as God foretold), and the Red Sea is DIVIDED, which has one of two effects on those involved: Israel CROSSES OVER the Red (Reed) Sea and is safe; the Egyptian soldiers attempt the same and are drowned. A DIVISION occurs between the Children of Israel and the Egyptians. We understand that another 400 years pass between the Old and the New Testaments. Christ is born, and at about 30 years of age, Yeshua appears to all Israel as a man of age proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God. Three-and-a-half-years later, when on the Roman cross, Yeshua says, “It is finished”, the Temple veil is DIVIDED (rent) in TWO; and we see another SEPARATION line between the wicked and the righteous when one thief CROSSES OVER into Paradise, and the other rejects Christ and is damned. Wasn’t it righteous Simeon who had told Mary that her Son was set for the rising and falling of many? Christ Himself said that He would SEPARATE the sheep nations from the goat nations, and the wheat from the tares at His return.

Just like Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker, where one was restored to his job as the King’s cupbearer and the other beheaded, the question remains: “Where do you stand in the grand scheme of things?” Are you ready for the next great DIVISION spoken of in the Word of God — JUDGMENT DAY — when God opens all the books and judges mankind according to their deeds, whether good or bad?

“Next I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. Earth and Heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of the throne. Books were opened; and another book was opened, the Book of Life; and the dead were judged from what was written in the books, according to what they had done. . . . Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was hurled into the lake of fire.” (Rev 20:11-12, 15 CJB)

The message of Tola’at is that the crushing of Messiah on Passover and the shedding of His crimson blood washes away all of our iniquities. The record of all past wrongs is blotted out because He has borne our punishment. The Just for the unjust. The brutal ugliness of His death is a vivid reminder of the horror of sin and the price that would be required to atone for it. Through His death on Passover we can CROSS OVER from death to life as God adds our names to His Book of Life.

What must we do? We must turn away from our sins and place our faith in Yeshua to rescue and save us from the penalty of breaking God’s commandments. That penalty is actually a death penalty (Rom 6:23). The death veil that descended upon the Earth through Adam’s fall is removed through that Holy One’s poured out blood. Though our sins be as scarlet (sheni), they shall be white as snow. Though they be as crimson (tola’at), they shall be as wool. Just as Moses lifted the bronze serpent on the pole in the wilderness, God commands all mankind (for our own good) to look upon the Savior in faith and see Him as the sacrifice for our sins on the cross. He wants you to be made all new, all good, and all right. Now is the time to prepare and respond to His call; because the message of sheni is that this same Yeshua is the dividing line between Heaven and damnation. (Dan 12:1-2; Is 66:24; Mk 9:44-48) Will He be your JUDGE or your REDEEMER?

The LORD promises that when we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with a hope. Then when you CALL upon Me and COME and PRAY to Me, I will hear you. When you SEARCH for me, you will FIND Me; if you SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.” (Jer 29:11-13; emphasis mine)

God’s cure for atheism, agnosticism, and the age-old question — “Is there a God?” – is faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that He is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6; emphasis mine)

We FIRST approach God by faith. He chooses the way of faith (trusting in His words and promises) in order to humble us. Our pride keeps us from trusting in His words. We must trust in the LORD and in His words, and not lean on our own ideas and incomplete understanding. (Pr 3:5-6) Prayerfully consider these words and respond to God in prayer:

He who CONFESSES his sins and FORSAKES them shall obtain MERCY. (Pr 28:13)

For as many as RECEIVED Him, to them gave He the RIGHT to become the sons of God. To as many as BELIEVE on His name. (Jn 1:12)

For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved. (Rom 10:13)

If you shall CONFESS the Lord Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and BELIEVE in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, YOU shall be saved. (Rom 10:9)

PRAY THIS PRAYER: God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I want to confess my sins to you and I choose to forsake them. I want to receive Yeshua into my life and follow Him. Make me to be one of your sons. I believe and trust in the name of Yeshua. I call upon you to save me. I confess with my mouth that Yeshua is both Lord and Messiah, and I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. I now claim your promise to forgive all my sins and to save me from death. Thank-you for doing this for me. Amen.

My prayer for you:
Dear God our Father, I pray that the one reading this and reaching out to you will find You as You have promised. I pray that You will enable them by the power of Your Spirit to obtain mercy and grace in this time of need because of the poured out blood of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah), Your Son. By your mercy and great love draw them to you, and do a special and mighty work in the life of this person. Forgive all sins and deliver from all sinful addictions and afflictions of the evil one. Grant them the faith necessary to make that connection with You that brings eternal life. Do good things for them and their family from this day forward. Answer for this person those deep and hidden things which only You can answer. Grant for this person rest, peace, abundance, and LIFE. Thank-you for answering beyond what I can even ask or think. In your Son’s name, Yeshua (Jesus), I pray. Amen.

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

*Concertina wire is a shiny, coiled, razor wire attached to the top of prison fencing and walls.
** Rorschach blot: a personality and intelligence test in which a subject interprets inkblot designs in terms that reveal intellectual and emotional factors.
*t I have since recalled reading something odd about those suffering during the Holocaust. In years past, in San Luis Obispo, California, I had pored over many voluminous tomes in our synagogue library which gave accounts of Shoah survivors. In their deepest moments of pain and despair many relayed how their collective thoughts turned to Yeshua and His sufferings. They also saw their sufferings as having a redeeming value for the world. Their identification with Son of Israel initially shocked and surprised me, but odder still was their feelings that their sufferings would benefit the world. “Fear thou not, thou worm (tola’at) Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” (Is 41:14)

This had struck me as rather macabre and I never could get these thoughts out of my mind. You would think the Passion of Christ would be the last thing on the minds of Jews suffering from Nazi atrocities during the Holocaust. Did they feel a slight twinge of guilt in their own identification with His sufferings? Was this why I was also guilty remembering my own transgressions when my head go busted open? Did this furnace of affliction dredge up the dross of past guilt hidden within my heart? Of course it did!

The American Civil War initially began as a fight for states’ rights, but the severity and brutality of the war caused much soul searching. The carnage was staggering. It wasn’t until the country came to the awful truth that the war was God’s judgment for the hundreds of years of cruel and abusive slavery of African-Americans that true repentance occurred. The country turned the war’s focus to ending slavery of African-Americans, and the tide of the war turned and soon ended. It’s amazing how we see the light when we feel the heat.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/fins-and-scales-choice-variety/tolaat/feed/0Peter and His Epistleshttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/peter-and-his-epistles/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/peter-and-his-epistles/#respondSat, 21 Apr 2018 13:38:31 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6323Continue reading "Peter and His Epistles"]]>Peter was one of the 12 Apostles, and he thought he had no fear and could do anything. Yeshua at least twice rescued him from situations he got himself into because of thinking that he was not afraid of anything: once, when Peter walked on the water, until he was afraid; second, when he went into the courtyard of the high priest on the night that Yeshua was betrayed and arrested: Peter was afraid to admit that he was one of Jesus’ disciples, or that he even knew Him. The Apostle Paul also confronted Peter in his fear: Peter was more afraid of the Jewish leaders who were still trying to keep the Law, than continuing in the freedom of the gospel in the fear of the Lord. Peter’s fear of man was at the expense of the truth of the gospel. Peter humbly accepted Paul’s courageous and necessary rebuke; and he learned from it, commending Paul for the wisdom which God had given him regarding the implications of the gospel. (Gal 2:11-16; 2Pt 3:14-16)

Peter’s over-self-confidence gave him to think that he was able to cope in any situation, and he was usually the first among the apostles to react or respond to a question or a challenge. Peter was a typical Israeli!

When Peter denied the Messiah on the night that Jesus was betrayed, it was a humiliating experience which forever changed him into becoming the man of God that he became, both unto the Lord, in his relationship with the other apostles, and in his care for the sheep in God’s house and family. He learned the grace and mercy of God for all of us who also fail in crucial situations as disciples, but whose hearts are set on Jesus. If we are going to be used by God for His glory, we will, like Peter, need to pass through the fire to get rid of “self”, so that the glory is the Lord’s in whom we are and do what we do. We must die to ourselves in order to live unto God: the cross is our only way to glory. Yeshua changed Simon Bar-Jonah’s name to Peter/Cephas – “stone” – when Peter confessed that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. And upon the “rock” of that confession of Peter’s – who Yeshua/Jesus is – the Lord is building His church. (Mt 16:18; 1Jn 2:22-25) Peter reminds us of this in his epistle that we are living stones being built up into a holy habitation for God upon the chief corner stone, Jesus. We are flawed people, like Peter, whom God has chosen to abase the proud, especially after we humble ourselves in light of the truth.

Peter loved Yeshua, and this distinguished him from Judas Iscariot. But Peter needed to learn that his life and hope is in Yeshua, and not of himself and his own capabilities. This is the lesson that Jacob had to learn in order to become Israel; this is the lesson that the unbelieving Jewish people need to learn if they want to be saved from their enemies and from themselves.

Peter was chosen by Jesus to go through the open door which the Lord had opened for the gospel to go also to the Gentiles, and not to the Jews only. From this Peter realized that the God of the Jews is also the God of the Gentiles, and He saves them and accepts them in the very same manner that He does His chosen people. This revelation and enlightenment prepared Peter for his particular calling: to be the Apostle to the circumcision – to the Jews; whereas Paul was called to be especially the Apostle to the Gentiles. (Gal 2:7-8) YHVH, in His wisdom, chose a religiously unlearned Israeli – Peter – to go to his own Jewish people, including to their religious leaders; and Paul, the learned Jew in both Judaism and in Gentile culture, was sent to primarily preach the gospel of salvation and the Kingdom of God to the pagan world.

I find it worth considering about Peter’s ministry to the Messianic Jews in particular, that he neither preached nor wrote ANYTHING about keeping the Sabbath, eating kosher, or keeping the holidays. (Neither, by the way, did James, who also wrote in his epistle to the Israeli believers in the dispersion.)

Peter’s epistles are not written to a local church, or to an individual. He wrote his epistle to the Jewish believers living in a region outside the God-promised Land of Israel, to a region where many Jews from there had also come to Jerusalem for that Pentecost/Shavuot celebration after the Lord’s ascension to glory, and had heard Peter preach repentance and faith in Yeshua for salvation. (1Pt 1:1; Acts 2:9; 2Pt 3:1) Yet the theology, the doctrines, the way of this life are for all believers: we are all pilgrims and sojourners in a land and world not ours, since our citizenship is in Heaven. We are witnesses and ambassadors here for the true God and Lord, whose kingdom is not of this world, a world hostile to Him who created and made it!

Peter wrote his epistles at a time when heavy persecution was about to come upon those who were called Christians, followers of the Christ/Messiah, for their faith in a King who required their primary and utmost allegiance. (1Pt 4:16) Patriotism to our earthly nation is not the evidence of being a true disciple of Yeshua/Jesus, even if we, in obedience to Him, are usually model citizens and seek the peace and good of whatever city or country we live in. (1Pt 4:15; 2:11-17; Rom 13; 1Tim 2:1-6; Jer 29:4-7) For example, if an Israeli believer and an Iranian believer used patriotic nationalism as their testimony of their faith in Jesus, where would be the truth of the gospel and of our hope as one new man in Christ, and of salvation in no other name but Yeshua/Jesus? Where would be our testimony of the coming of the Lord to judge the nations and to save the full remnant of all the tribes of Israel, establishing His Kingdom over all the Earth? Peter addresses these issues as believers in the face of severe tribulation for our faith.

He is writing to the Jewish believers in the dispersion. (1Pt 1:1; 2:11-12, 25) This means that the verses in 1Pt 2:9-10 also refer first of all to the remnant of Jewish believers now who have returned and been restored to their covenant relationship with YHVH through becoming believers in the promised Messiah – the Son of David, Son of Abraham, Son of Man, Son of God. (Hos 1:6-11) Although what is written there can also be applied to all Gentile believers in the Body of Christ – there are other places in the New Testament which speak to this. (Rom 9:24-26; Eph 2:11-22) Peter is writing here to the Jewish believers, who, by God’s mercy and covenantal grace are fulfilling God’s calling upon all [the tribes of] Israel to be a kingdom of priests, and to be His holy people and inheritance among the nations. (Ex 19:3-6; Is 19:24-25) The present remnant is a pledge of the future Israel of God during the Millennial Kingdom, when the redeemed nation of Israel will fulfill her destiny. At the same time, this same Jewish remnant is part and representative of the whole Body of Christ, which is also destined to be a kingdom of priests with the Lord, ruling and reigning together in glorified bodies during the Millennial over Israel and the nations. (Rev 20:4-6) he Holy Spirit is maintaining through these Scriptures that the Church and Israel are related, yet distinct. God has not finished with Israel, His chosen people and land: there is no valid “replacement theology”, and believing and obedient Christians have a better hope and promises by virtue of our new birth by the Spirit of God and already being forgiven for all our sins through repentance and faith in the gospel. We always need the blood of the Lamb and the Word of God to cleanse us, since we are never in this body this side of the resurrection perfectly obedient or faithful. Just like Peter!

The apostle learned personally what he advises other spiritual leaders among the flock of God: “Be sober, be vigilant. Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1Pt 5:8-11)

Peter is writing to us about how we are to practically live in holiness and with love in countries and a world among people hostile to the truth of who Jesus Christ is — even within the churches — as we keep our focus on the coming of the Lord and of His kingdom, and on the New Heavens and New Earth for eternity, where our eternal ‘homeland’ will be.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/peter-and-his-epistles/feed/0The State of The State of Israel: The Gospel and The Body of Messiahhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/the-state-of-the-state-of-israel-the-gospel-and-the-body-of-messiah/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/the-state-of-the-state-of-israel-the-gospel-and-the-body-of-messiah/#commentsWed, 18 Apr 2018 05:17:18 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6351Continue reading "The State of The State of Israel: The Gospel and The Body of Messiah"]]>(Originally written for Spanish-language Christian newspaper in Guatemala)

What is God doing in Israel? What is the spiritual state of the State of Israel as she celebrates 70 years as a sovereign nation among the nations of the world? Her successes in many fields far surpass the normal expectation of other nations. By the long list of numerous innovations and developments that Israel is known for, God is drawing attention to Himself through His miracle nation! (Is 11:11-12) But how do we assess the whole of Israel by the Word of God? There are many perspectives on Israel and many opinions by believers concerning the current spiritual situation here in the land. One thing is for sure: Israel as a nation is still resistant to the good news of Jesus (Yeshua) being the Messiah.

The Apostle Paul wrote that Israel is the enemy of the gospel for the Gentiles’ sake, and beloved for the Fathers’ sake. (Rom 11:28) The fathers are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel, with whom YHVH cut/made a covenant, promising them with an oath to give their descendants an inheritance and everlasting possession of the land of Canaan. He promises that a faithful remnant of their physical descendants would become His holy people, and He would become their God. These promises still remain to be fulfilled, and the LORD is faithfully fulfilling them until the day of salvation. (Is 14:24-27; Ezek 36:22-28; Rom 9:11) Fear the LORD, and give Him glory!

What does it mean to be an enemy of the gospel? It does not just mean that most Jewish people do not believe in Jesus. Nor does it mean that we are not free to evangelize here, even though it is not socially approved of. It means that the Jewish religion (and all other religions) requires its adherents to earn their righteousness through works of the law of that religion: in other words, humanism in its many forms, assisted by satanic deceit and lies. Whatever hope of reward in this world or in the world to come is dependent upon having earned your future life. . . . if there is one. The faith which was once-for-all delivered to the saints is that the good news (the gospel) of God is that salvation and eternal life are a gift from the Father to all who genuinely believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who paid the penalty and ransom for each of us and our sin through His sacrificial death on the cross. We are then justified by faith in His resurrection from the dead. Rabbinic Judaism does not and can not accept Jesus for who He is; if it did, it would no longer be the religion that it is. Most Messianic Jews today in Israel agree that we are not under the authority of the rabbis or of the Oral Law. In other words, we are not practicing Rabbinic/Talmudic/ Pharisaic Judaism. So then, under traditional Jewish law, we are not accepted as kosher Jews. (Jn 9: 16-41)

In this year of celebrating Israel’s 70th Independence Day, 43% of world Jewry, or close to 7 million Jews, are living in Israel. More than half of the Jewish people who do live in Israel have been born in Israel. The reality is that more than 99% of the Jews in Israel are not currently believers in Yeshua/Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. They (and all of the other unbelieving Jewish people around the world) are in spiritual exile – separated from their God because of their sin of unbelief in the Father and His Son. (Jn 15:23-25; 1Jn 2:23) Jesus told His disciples to take the gospel of salvation and the Kingdom of God to the Jews first, and to all people groups in all the world. Israel and the Jewish people were the first to be told how to be saved, and through them that same way went out to the Gentiles. This way of salvation – being born-again by the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in the gospel — is still the only way for both Jewish and Gentile people to be saved, and is still being resisted. Even so, it is the only way for Israel as a nation to be saved. (Zech 12:10; Rom 11:25-27)

My wife and I first immigrated to Israel in 1981. At that time there were estimated to be about 200 believers in the country. We got to know each other through national music conferences and annual national Passover conferences. Today, there are estimates ranging from about 14,000 – 30,000 believers in Israel (these figures are difficult to verify). We have seen the development of Messianic groups and congregations throughout the land. Today, immigration of Jewish believers is becoming increasingly difficult due to what was said above: Israel is the enemy of the gospel. This does not prevent, though, many Jewish believers from successfully immigrating, according to the will of God. Evangelism occurs most commonly through personal witness and testimony. A new development is internet evangelism in Hebrew which is reaching large numbers of Hebrew-speaking Israelis wherever they may live. Occasionally there are larger evangelism campaigns conducted by different groups. The same things are happening among the Arabs, who also have only a tiny percentage of born-again believers amongst them.

Most of the Jewish believers in Israel speak Russian as their mother-tongue, and many of the congregations throughout Israel are Russian-speaking. In our congregation, Yeshua’s Inheritance, we use Hebrew as a unifying language, with a significant number of Russian speakers, and several other languages, and we offer translation to these languages from Hebrew. Delightfully, we have seen nearly two generations grow up as Israeli believers. This means that they speak Israeli Hebrew to each other and are able to understand each other in a natural way. This is a dynamic development that has come out of the believing veterans remaining here and raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is a real testimony that so many young believers serve in the IDF and have brought a good name to the believing community.

Despite the abiding tension in Israel, a sense of family is a predominant characteristic in congregations, and also throughout the land among Israelis. I believe it is a reflection of the truth that YHVH is a Father to Israel, and He has chosen a family to be His people: the children of Jacob/Israel. The 12 tribes were actually one large family. Similarly, the Body of Christ is a family on a much grander scale. So, too, the believers in Israel — a small country with a small percentage of believers – have a sense of being a family: we are brothers and sisters in the Messiah, with God as our Father. This certainly helps us to put up with each other over a longer period than if we did not feel that bond of brotherhood.

Being brothers and sisters in Christ also includes our Arab brothers and sisters. We all desire to express that love and unity which Jesus prayed for. Jesus taught His disciples that manifesting love and unity was a necessary reality to prove that we are His disciples, loved by the Father as He is. It shows that He was sent from the Father to Israel and to the world. (Jn 17:20-23) Israel is a land of constant conflict; however, we know that the answer is Jesus. It is imperative that we proclaim and express love and unity to our peoples in good times and bad. For our prayers and our worship to be acceptable, we must truly forgive one another in obedience to our one Father and one Lord. Forgiveness is a great challenge for all believers.

Until the fullness of Gentiles comes into the Kingdom through repentance and faith in the gospel, Israel will remain partially hardened and blinded to the truth of the gospel. The Bible says that this is the wisdom of God. That being so, more Arabs will be saved before we will see large numbers of Jewish people being saved. Many Muslims of whatever nationality will be saved and forgiven (since virtually all Muslims are Gentiles) before many Jews will be! And God will give them a new heart and a new spirit – His Spirit – and cause them to provoke Israel to jealousy while also showing mercy to them, rather than displaying their everlasting hatred and seeking her destruction.

Jacob (unbelieving Israel) is still trying to establish his own righteousness, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and therefore not submitting to it. Israel is proud of all of their amazing accomplishments, and attribute them to their own power and skills, rather than thanking and praising God, who has made it all possible.

So stand and understand that God’s plan of redemption is patiently being fulfilled in His long-suffering to break the rebellion in His chosen people and family, so that His name will be sanctified in them, and in their enemies, when all will know that YHVH is the one true and most high God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, and the seas, and all that is in them, and the Redeemer of His universe that He created and made. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is LORD/YHVH, to the glory of the Father!

As you humbly pray for Israel, remember this word to them and to us: “’Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom; let not the mighty man boast in his might; nor let the rich man boast in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am YEHOVAH, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the Earth. For in these I delight,’ says YEHOVAH.” (Jer 9:23-24; 1Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/the-state-of-the-state-of-israel-the-gospel-and-the-body-of-messiah/feed/1Whose Right of Determination? – 17 Apr 2018https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/judaism/whose-right-of-determination-17-apr-2018/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/judaism/whose-right-of-determination-17-apr-2018/#respondTue, 17 Apr 2018 15:04:54 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6344Continue reading "Whose Right of Determination? – 17 Apr 2018"]]>Israel remembers tonight all her sons and daughters who have died in the numerous wars and terror attacks since her birth as a nation 70 years ago, according to the Hebrew calendar. (The Western calendar Independence date is May 14/15.) Every war and attack against Israel is an existential threat to her existence. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Through many tribulations we enter the Kingdom of God!” (Acts 14:22) There is much suffering, even death, before entering into glory.

YHVH God of Israel called and destined His people to be separate from the Gentile nations, a holy people to Himself, and a priestly nation to the nations. But in the days of Samuel the prophet, the Children of Israel asked for a king like the Gentiles have, to judge them and lead them in war. God gave them what they asked for: He gave them Saul to be their king. (Shaul in Hebrew, which means, “asked for”.)

The LORD through the Prophet Ezekiel (20:32) asserts His claim upon the determination of His people’s identity and character: “What you have in mind shall never be, when you say, ‘We will be like the Gentiles, like the families in other countries, serving wood and stone.'”

It is often said by even Israeli government ministers that we, the Jewish people, have the right of “self-determination” to be a Jewish nation-state. This can never be a justification by Jewish people for having our own sovereign country. The Palestinians could — and do — make the same claim for themselves. Our only basis for being here is YHVH’s covenant promise and oath, and the faithfulness of God to bring us back here — for His holy name’s sake. We are not like the other peoples to God in this respect: only Israel has He known (Amos 3:1-2; 1Chron 17:20-22), and He has given us a calling and destiny of who He has determined we are to be. This is true also of the Body of Christ/Messiah: our identity and destiny are determined by Him before the world began. (Eph 1:3-6)

Megillat HaAtzmaut“, by the Maccabeats, is a song written for Israel’s 70th Independence Day, with this line concerning the Jewish State of Israel: “this right is the natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their own fate, like all the other nations”.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6UcozPpJvs

But, as the Lord has said: this is not so, and will not be!

“As I live,” says the Lord YHVH, “surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, I will rule over you! I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you were scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face. Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the desert land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,” says the Lord GOD. I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yehovah!” (Ezek 20: 33-38)

The national anthem of Israel is called HaTikvah, The Hope. God has built into His people the hope of a better world. The hope put before them is predicated upon repentance and faith in YHVH’s Anointed One — Yeshua/Jesus. May we see this hope fulfilled in our generation — for Israel, for the nations, for the Body of Christ.

At the end of the day, all who are the Lord’s will know this to be true: we will have struggled with God and with man, and prevailed! Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Gen 32:24-30 ; Rom 11:33)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/judaism/whose-right-of-determination-17-apr-2018/feed/0Nachalat Yeshua (Yeshua’s Inheritance) Vision and Missionhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/nachalat-yeshua-yeshuas-inheritance-vision-and-mission/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/nachalat-yeshua-yeshuas-inheritance-vision-and-mission/#respondTue, 10 Apr 2018 13:21:14 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6329Continue reading "Nachalat Yeshua (Yeshua’s Inheritance) Vision and Mission"]]>Rev 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, nor in their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (5) But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (6) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.

Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. (19) Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.

Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people become unruly; but he who keeps the law, he is blessed.

Pro 13:12 Hope put off makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Luk 2:25-30 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. (26) And it happened to him, being instructed by the Holy Spirit, he was not to see death before he would see the Christ of the Lord. (27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And as the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do according to the custom of the Law concerning Him, (28) even he received Him in his arms and blessed God, and said, (29) Lord, now You will let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word. (30) For my eyes have seen Your Salvation

Joh 17:20-23 And I do not pray for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on Me through their word, (21) that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. (22) And I have given them the glory which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one, (23) I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Isa 41:17-20 The poor and needy seek water, and there is none; their tongue fails for thirst, I Yehovah will hear them, I the God of Israel will not leave them. (18) I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (19) I will plant the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree. I will set the fir tree in the desert, and the pine, and the box tree together; (20) so that they may see, and know, and look on, and understand together, that the hand of Yehovah has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.

1Co 12:4-27 But there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. (6) And there are differences of workings, but it is the same God working all things in all. (7) But to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit. (8) For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; (9) and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each one as He desires. (12) For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. (13) For also by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, even all were made to drink into one Spirit. (14) For the body is not one member, but many. (15) If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (16) And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (17) If all the body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If all hearing, where would be the smelling? (18) But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body as it has pleased Him. (19) And if they were all one member, where would be the body? (20) But now indeed many are the members, yet only one body. (21) And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (22) But much rather the members of the body seeming to be weaker are necessary. (23) And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we put more abundant honor around them. And our unpresentable members have more abundant propriety. (24) For our presentable members have no need, but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to the member having need; (25) that there not be division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. (26) And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is glorified, all the members rejoice with it. (27) And you are the body of Christ, and members in part.

Rom 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be the First-born among many brothers. (30) But whom He predestinated, these He also called; and whom He called, those He also justified. And whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and He saw and was glad.

Act 2:41-42 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day there were added about three thousand souls. (42) And they were continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and in fellowship and in the breaking of the loaves, and in prayers.

Gal 6:13-15 For they themselves, having been circumcised, do not even keep the Law, but they desire you to be circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. (14) But may it never be for me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. (15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any strength, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Eph 2:14-16 For He is our peace, He making us both one, and He has broken down the middle wall of partition between us, (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity (the Law of commandments contained in ordinances) so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, making peace between them; (16) and so that He might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity in Himself.

Eph 4:11-16 And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (12) for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (13) And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (14) so that we no longer may be infants, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, in the dishonesty of men, in cunning craftiness, to the wiles of deceit. (15) But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ; (16) from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

Heb 5:13-14 For everyone partaking of milk is unskillful in the Word of Righteousness, for he is an infant. (14) But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, even those who because of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Php 3:14-16 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be of this mind. And if in anything you are otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you. (16) Yet, as to what we have already attained, let us walk in the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Col 1:28 whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

1Th 2:19 For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are you not even to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

1Th 5:23 And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jas 5:7-9 Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and the latter rain. (8) You also be patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of your Lord draws near. (9) Do not grudge against one another, brothers, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge stands before the door.

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord;

Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Heb 9:28 so Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of many. And to those who look for Him He shall appear the second time without sin to salvation.

Heb 11:8-10 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out into a place which he was afterward going to receive for an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he went. (9) By faith he lived in the land of promise as a stranger, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs of the same promise with him. (10) For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Heb 11:13-16 These all died by way of faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. And they were persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (14) For they who say such things declare plainly that they seek a fatherland. (15) And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (16) But now they stretch forth to a better fatherland, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Heb 13:14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

2Pe 3:13-14 But according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (14) Therefore, beloved, looking for these things, be diligent, spotless, and without blemish, to be found by Him in peace.

Rev 1:7 Behold, He comes with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and those who pierced Him will see Him, and all the kindreds of the earth will wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Rev 22:20-21 He who testifies these things says, Yes, I am coming quickly, Amen. Yes, come, Lord Jesus. (21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.

Our vision is that as many people as possible under our authority and influence would be ready for and have part in the First Resurrection.

Our mission is to be Yeshua’s witnesses to bring more people into His kingdom; we are God’s sons and daughters to grow to full maturity in preparation for our Bridegroom’s return.

We want to be as inclusive as possible, as restrictive as necessary: different members, trees, streams; one Head, one body, one river, one inheritance in the Promised Land of the Kingdom of God.

Joh 13:34-35 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. (35) By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another.

Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be the Root of Jesse standing for a banner of the people; to Him the nations shall seek; and His resting place shall be glorious.

Joh 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to Myself.

1Co 15:1-6 And, brothers, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and in which you stand; (2) by which you also are being kept safe, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (3) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; (5) and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve. (6) Afterward He was seen by over five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain until this present day, but also some fell asleep.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/nachalat-yeshua-yeshuas-inheritance-vision-and-mission/feed/0First Fruits From The Dead – 1 Apr 2018https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/first-fruits-from-the-dead-1-apr-2018/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/first-fruits-from-the-dead-1-apr-2018/#respondSun, 01 Apr 2018 11:46:49 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6319Continue reading "First Fruits From The Dead – 1 Apr 2018"]]>Today is no fools’ day except for those who deny the truth of Messiah being Jesus/Yeshua, and that He rose from the dead, as if there is no God capable of such power! But our God is the Maker of Heaven and Earth! This is the day that the LORD has made, so let us be glad and rejoice in it! Some of our friends went out early this morning in Beer Sheva to the Negev Brigade Monument (which can be seen from our home) to celebrate and remember this most momentous event which shook the Earth from Jerusalem close to 2000 years ago. This is also a Biblical feast — an appointed time of YHVH — which He gave to Israel through Moses at Mt Sinai. In Lev 23, it is called First Fruits, and is to be celebrated and remembered on the first day of the week after the Sabbath during the Passover week. This year, the Passover fell on Friday evening, making this day the day after the Sabbath. I don’t know where, when, and why eggs and rabbits became a tradition of many Christians, but it is interesting that children hunt for eggs like Jewish children hunt for the afikoman on Passover night. And Jewish seder plates have an egg on it. Let us worship God in Spirit and truth, keeping what is good, and being careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

As you are all probably aware, the situation on the Gaza border here in the south of Israel is one of increasing tension and casualties. We deplore the suffering and ruined lives of so many, and unless we realize the spiritual war going on in the heavenlies that is behind these conflicts, we would ourselves be in despair. There is no true resolution except for God’s solution, and Jesus has paid the price for it! His Passover death and resurrection is the Father’s peace plan, and no other will or can succeed.

Thank-you all for your prayers for the glory of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah and of God our Father in all His covenant dealings with His people, and all others.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/first-fruits-from-the-dead-1-apr-2018/feed/0The Kingdom of God: Significance and Expectation of the Physical Return of the Lordhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-kingdom-of-god-significance-and-expectation-of-the-physical-return-of-the-lord/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-kingdom-of-god-significance-and-expectation-of-the-physical-return-of-the-lord/#commentsSat, 24 Mar 2018 12:14:13 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6312Continue reading "The Kingdom of God: Significance and Expectation of the Physical Return of the Lord"]]>Ps 45:1A love song. My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition for the
King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer!

Prophecy is not given just so that we can know facts about the future. Many can give facts, but not know the God who is giving them. Many can know them, but their lives are not impacted. Consider the Pharisees who knew that the Messiah was supposed to be born in Bethlehem, in answering Herod, but yet had neither fear nor joy that the event might just have happened! Every detail will be fulfilled! Neither did they include the part that His goings forth are from everlasting! Prophecy is given us by the Spirit of God through the Word of God, telling us God’s heart and mind concerning future things. And knowing and loving and believing Him who is telling us whom He loves, they are supposed to affect our lives today: in hope, in anticipation, in learning what He loves and plans to bless, and what He hates and plans to judge – and to adjust our lives accordingly. We love God because He first loved us, and Yeshua has come to demonstrate that love by dying on the cross for the atonement of our sins. We love Jesus/Yeshua because He loves us.

The Scriptures, and their writers, were and are full of the hope and anticipation of the Kingdom of God upon the Earth. The time for this sermon can not do justice to the greatness of this most anticipated event in the history of the world. YHVH by His Spirit inspired the authors to look into the future concerning that Day. God revealed this hope particularly to Israel, His chosen people with whom He is in covenant. All believers, whether Jewish or Gentile, have entered into this blessed hope and promise, first spoken in part at the beginning of history, in the Garden of Eden to Adam and to Eve and to the Devil-serpent, when He said that the Seed of the Woman would bruise the head of the seed of the serpent/devil, and by doing so, put away evil and establish good. (Gen 3:15) The Kingdom of God will be established on Earth!

At present, according to the New Testament writers, the whole world is presently lying under the sway of the wicked one and evil; the prince of this world is Satan. (1Jn 5:19; 2Cor 4:4) At the same time, the Lord Jesus Christ has all authority in Heaven and on Earth from God the Father, and is presently ruling over the affairs of men and of angels and demons. Jesus explained in His parables of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God that there is at present both good and evil in His world that He created and made, and even within Israel and the Body of Messiah. Yet the day is coming when the judgment will come: the wicked will be removed and separated forever; but the good will inherit the Kingdom of God and eternal life. (Mt 13) Those who have died in the faith of God’s Son – Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah/Christ – will be physically resurrected from the dead, clothed in new redeemed bodies; and those who remain alive at His coming again will have their bodies likewise transformed: bodies suitable for eternity, and prepared for the saints who will rule and reign with righteousness and justice and equity with Messiah for 1000 years! What a glorious day to put off this body of death, as the apostle Paul proclaims full of faith and hope and love! (Rom 7:24-25)

This is the significance and the earnest expectation of the sons of God in the physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ, as He promised. Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah, is coming back to make this world right, and His Kingdom will never pass away to another ever! (Dan 2:31-35, 43-45; 7:13-14, 21-27; Rev 11:15-18)

After the Flood in the days of Noah, all of his family knew the true God and his judgment upon the world. Yet not long after, most of his descendants forsook that knowledge and made other gods for themselves. Israel at the Passover, and in God’s care for them through the desert on their way to His promised land, and in defeating enemies more numerous than themselves, saw the mighty works of YHVH proving Him to be the only true God. Yet, not too much longer after conquering the Land of Canaan, the people rejected Yehovah from being King over them, and they wanted a king like the Gentiles have. God, in His wisdom and righteousness, has turned them over to the desires of their heart, and until today, the Chosen People reject YHVH, and His Son, the promised Messiah Yeshua, from being their God and King. Yet the day is coming that they will return to Him, and He will rule over them: He will be their God and King! (1Sam 8:1-7; Ezek 20:32-36) Israel, and the Gentile nations, will all be under the rule of the King of the Kingdom of God – on Earth as it is in Heaven!

This is the significance of the physical return of the Lord, and why it is such a blessed hope for all who believe in Him and in His promises, and love Him: all Israel will be saved, and righteousness will reign. Those who hold this hope will live godly lives in this present evil age, and purify ourselves, for His is pure. (Tit 2:11-15; 2Pt 3:10-18; 1Jn 2:28-29; 3:1-3) Praise the LORD!

Passover is next week, when especially the Jewish people remember and celebrate their deliverance from hard bondage in Egypt under the rule of a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph, the Hebrew, and all the good that he had done for Egypt. God brought them out with great power and an out-stretched arm, defeating all the gods of Egypt, and demonstrating to all that YHVH is the true God and stronger than all the other gods of the nations. How long did it take for the Children of Israel to cry out for deliverance from this slavery, in accord with the covenant promise of YHVH to Abraham, to such an extent that YHVH heard their cry, and called and sent Moses to redeem them, and to bring them out of Egypt and to the Promised Land so that they could serve and worship YHVH their God?

YHVH had told Abraham that it would be 400 years till He would deliver Abraham’s covenanted descendants from their slavery, and that this would be when the iniquity of the people living in the land of Canaan had reached its full that God would not tolerate it any more. (Gen 15:13) Joseph believed and hoped in the promise of this redemption, and asked his brothers to promise him that they would take his bones with them when it would happen. (And we know that they did, because Joseph’s tomb is in Israel, near Shechem.)

God has also told us about when we can expect the return of the Messiah Yeshua to deliver His Bride and His people from the oppression of the rulers and principalities of this world: Hosea the Prophet has written that for two days God will strike Israel, but that on the third day He will revive and heal them, and exhorts the people to pursue the knowledge of YHVH. (Hos 6:1-3) This is not to be understood only as three 24-hour days, for we can see that this has never occurred. But Moses, in his Ps 90, tells us that with the LORD a day is as 1000 years, and that a thousand years is as a day. The Apostle Peter quotes this in one of his epistles, explaining by it God’s patience and long-suffering in His desire for people to repent and be saved. (2Pt 3:8-9) Since the Passover death of Yeshua, and His resurrection, almost 2000 years – two days – have passed. Israel suffered much over these years in fulfillment of the Word of God because of their unbelief and rejection of Yeshua for who He is. Even today there is not peace and security, although we are back in this land of promise, as YHVH promised that He would do this for His holy name’s sake. (Ezek 36:21-28)

Yeshua, when asked about the signs of His return and the restoration of the Kingdom of God to Israel, He gave them a time-reference: the generation that sees the fig tree (national Israel) blossom will see His return. Today’s Israel is truly a blossoming fig tree among the nations! Moses also wrote in Ps 90 that people could expect to live 70 years, and by strength of God, 80 years. This year Israel is celebrating 70 years of being a sovereign state in its land! The average life-span of Israelis today is 82 years! The generation called the ‘Baby-Boomers’ were those born between 1946-1964, and have been witnesses to all these things, as Jesus said and prophesied! (Mt 24:32-36)

The other thing that Yeshua told His disciples – including us – is that, until that God-determined specific appointed day and hour which no one else can figure out, we are to take the gospel to all people groups, and make them disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. We, who already believe, are to continue in becoming faithful and true disciples of the Lord, with the growing hope of His coming. How long will it take for our Father in Heaven to hear the cry of the Bride of His Son cry out: “Come, Lord Jesus!”, so that He will send the Deliverer as He sent Moses, to judge the nations and save His people?

The Bible is like a love letter of the Bridegroom to His betrothed: He is the Heir to the Throne; the mighty Man of Valor; the Good Shepherd; He loves and cares for His family; He promises to come again and take her/us to Himself to be with Him. We promise to wait for Him, and as the expected time nears to make ourselves ready in all godliness and righteousness and purity. We both promise to be faithful to each other. He has given clues in His love-letter about when the one who loves Him can expect Him. We go about our business (His business) as the set time draws nearer, with growing expectation and excitement. The hater and enemy of the King tries to weaken our love and hope, and threatens to kill us, or at least weaken our faith and hope and love in the One who will indeed come again for His Beloved Bride.

The Kingdom of God is much more than being in the hearts and minds of born-again believers. It is not just what we know and think, or even live out with an unending conflict within us of doing God’s will. The promise is still to be fulfilled, but we already have the pledge of it now from the moment we were saved and received peace with God, the forgiveness of all our sins, and by the Holy Spirit given to dwell within us. The whole of creation is groaning and suffering birth pangs earnestly waiting for that day to be released from the futility of this world because of sin. We are saved with this hope of the coming of the Lord, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God throughout His universe, and dwelling among His people. We have entered into what God planned long before we were born. May we see it fulfilled in our generation!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-kingdom-of-god-significance-and-expectation-of-the-physical-return-of-the-lord/feed/1Israel’s New Year and Examining Yeshua as Passover Lambhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/israels-new-year-and-examining-yeshua-as-passover-lamb/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/israels-new-year-and-examining-yeshua-as-passover-lamb/#respondFri, 16 Mar 2018 09:37:39 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6303Continue reading "Israel’s New Year and Examining Yeshua as Passover Lamb"]]>Israel’s Biblical New Year begins tomorrow, Mar 17, the first of Nisan.

Let’s look here at how Yeshua was fulfilling the Word of God, who gave a pattern for how the Jewish people were to keep the Passover. In Exodus, YHVH told Israel that their year would begin in the Spring/Aviv, on the first of the lunar month of Aviv/Nisan, marked by the New Moon. God told Israel that each family was to choose their lamb for the Passover, and it must be without any imperfections. They were to choose their lamb on the 10th of that first month. They were to examine it during the next four days, and, assuming that it was without blemish, to sacrifice it to YHVH on the 14th of the month, at the Full Moon.

Yeshua began His final ‘passion’ week in Jerusalem on Sonday. He was not the Jewish leaders’ choice of Deliverer and Redeemer, but He was GOD’s chosen Lamb of God – Messiah our Passover. Over each of the next four days, Yeshua was ‘examined’ by all the necessary authorities: by the scribes, the chief priests, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the High Priest; by the Roman governor Pilate, and by Herod. None of them could find any fault in Jesus; even Judas Iscariot confessed that he sinned by betraying an innocent man. The Jewish leaders had to bring in false witnesses to accuse Yeshua of some offense/sin in order to turn Him over to the Romans for a crime worthy of death. Yeshua was without spot or blemish – the perfectly innocent Lamb, suitable to be accepted by God on our behalf.

If we assume that the Sonday was the 10th of the Passover month, then the days till Thursday were the days of examining the Lamb, to be slaughtered on that Thursday, the 14th of Nisan. That would also agree with the only sign that Yeshua said that He would give to those who refused to acknowledge all the signs and wonders that He had already been doing to prove that He was indeed the promised Messiah, the Son of God: that, like Jonah the Prophet in the belly of the great fish, He would be in the heart of the Earth for three days and three nights — burying our sins with Him — the Son of God rising from among the dead early on Sonday before sunrise, the day after the Sabbath of that Passover week, to celebrate the First-Fruits of the harvest. The pre-existing uncreated Light who came into His creation as the light of the first day of creation brings this into our remembrance, as God brings born-again believers into His eternal light and rest to worship forever our Creator and Redeemer!

The Jewish New Year at the Feast of Trumpets in the Fall is really prophetically looking ahead to the salvation of ‘all Israel’ at the end of the age, when the Jewish Israeli people look upon Him (Yeshua/Jesus) whom we pierced, and have their sins forgiven based upon the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonements) sacrifice which the Messiah also accomplished in His Passover sacrifice. A really new beginning, and God will dwell in the midst of His people during the Millennial Kingdom: a real Jubilee!

Truly the whole world comes to Israel, and Israel is a microcosm of the world! YHVH God’s chosen land to become His and His Israeli people’s inheritance — in that Day. Not the land of Israel only, but the whole Earth and the whole of the Universe will be restored to the Kingdom of God, who created and made them!

In any case, meanwhile, Israel is working with others around the world in preparing for making a move to Mars some day. Should anyone wind up going to live on Mars, he will take his sin with him. Thank God that He has a better idea to make life more habitable for a much longer time — even on this Earth! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Seventy years of the impossible being made possible. After nearly 1900 years of exile from the land God promised on oath to give to the children of Israel; after prayers and hopes of one day returning to Jerusalem; after centuries of suffering persecutions and unending dislike and mistrust; after forced expulsions from other countries; after trying to show that they are like the Gentiles among whom they live; after failures of other nations to keep promises to assist them in their return to the land; after the Holocaust which sought to destroy their aspirations once-and-for-all; after wars against their surrounding enemies throughout the 70 years of statehood: Israel and the Jewish people here are thriving and prospering beyond all expectations, and blessing the world through its acquired knowledge and innovations born of necessity.

Just last week, following the destruction of another cross-border terrorist tunnel from Gaza, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai has praised the technology behind its discovery.

“Israeli genius and the Jewish brain have found a solution for all the terrorist tunnels,” he said in an interview with the Arabic-language al-Hurairah television station on Sunday. “Just as there is the Iron Dome in the air, there is a technological dome of steel under the ground.”

But as the Spirit of Messiah spoke through Moses to the Israeli people long ago in its very beginnings, he warned us that becoming powerful and wealthy would also lead to forgetting YHVH our God, and boasting in our own abilities and intelligence and might and power to accomplish all that the LORD enabled us to do. It is the LORD who has given His chosen people such qualities to prevail in this world. And God’s warning was that just as He will destroy all the nations opposing Him and His people, so would He do to His own when they become like them. Unless YHVH of Hosts (Armies) would leave to us a very small remnant, we would become like Sodom and Gomorrah. (Is 1:9)

As we relish in our own country’s (wherever we live) successes and greatness, there remains a particular calling upon Israel and the Jewish people with whom YHVH has cut covenants and given promises and oaths. We are held to a higher accountability than are other nations. Yet believers in Yeshua/Jesus, from whatever nation or ethnic group, are held individually to a higher standard than even unbelieving Israel is: we know the God and Lord who has forgiven us our sins and given us a new heart and the Holy Spirit, and given us peace and gift of eternal life with Him. We have the whole Bible, the whole counsel of God.

We are called to intercede and to take the gospel to the Jew first, that they might repent and believe it, and come home to their Father in Heaven, looking on Him whom they pierced. From the days of Samuel the Prophet and Judge, the Jewish people have wanted a king like the Gentiles have to rule over them, and go to war for them, and to judge them. YHVH, in the person of Yeshua the Messiah/Christ and Son of God, will restore the Kingdom of God to them and be their King when He returns. He is holy and righteous, attributes which God has called His people to become, to the glory of the Father.

“The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength eighty years. Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps 90)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/christianity/pride-comes-before-a-fall-19-jan-2018/feed/3Are Palestinians Children of Abraham? – 17 Jan 2018https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/are-palestinians-children-of-abraham-17-jan-2018/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/are-palestinians-children-of-abraham-17-jan-2018/#commentsWed, 17 Jan 2018 09:37:26 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6252Continue reading "Are Palestinians Children of Abraham? – 17 Jan 2018"]]>On Jan. 14, Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas spoke in an address to the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) Central Council these words: “This is our country. This has been our land since the days of the Canaanites. By the way, our Canaanite forefathers… The Torah says… and I do not want to go into history or geography… From the days of the Canaanites and to this day, [our forefathers] have not left this land. They were here before our patriarch Abraham. We were. Since before our patriarch Abraham…”

Apart from attributing to the Torah (the five books of Moses, in this case) what is not there, the claim that the Palestinians are Canaanites (which Yassir Arafat also did at times) betrays the claim that the Palestinians are Arabs who claim descendancy from Abraham through Ishmael, and to Isaac through Esau. (The covenant relationship went through Isaac and Jacob.) The issue for us is not who the “indigenous people” of this land were or are. The issue is: If they are Canaanites who pre-dated Abram/Abraham, then they are not children of Abraham, and are not Arabs in the normal sense of that people’s genetic root identity. Jewish people claim descendancy from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The dispute over the inheritance of this land is within Abraham’s family. The Bible is clear that YHVH God — whose land it is! — drove out or destroyed the pagan Canaanites when their iniquity was full, and He brought out His chosen people Israel from Egypt to do that, and to give the Land of Canaan to the children of Jacob. According to the Torah, and Biblically as a whole, the land later became called the Land of Israel, even into the New Testament. (Mt 2:19-21)

This same issue came up from another direction a few years ago when I was in a meeting with Israeli Jewish and Palestinian Arab leaders who believe in Yeshua/Yasua/Jesus as Messiah and Lord. This meeting came about as a result of a deterioration in relations between the two parties following another round of conflict between our peoples, despite all of the reconciliation ministries and efforts for many years. One of the things we did was to list the things that we had in common; and one of those things listed was that we are both Semites (descended from Shem, one of Noah’s sons, who was the ancestor of Abraham; Canaan was the son of Ham). This particular Palestinian brother unexpectedly and surprisingly spoke out that he was not certain that they were Semites. I asked him then, “Are you saying that you are not children of Abraham?” He did not answer, but another Palestinian leader tried to explain that what he said did not mean what it meant.

When we are not reconciled to God, or to our own history, we will show ourselves ignorant and confused, and being deceived, we will also deceive others. Our anger and bitterness will be a root whose fruit will defile many. The truth sets us free. We need to make up our mind and renew it to agree with God. I don’t expect this from a Muslim, but born-again evangelical believers are to be stewards of the truth which the Word of God reveals to us.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/are-palestinians-children-of-abraham-17-jan-2018/feed/3Dimona Still in The Bible – 16 Jan 2018https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/dimona-still-in-the-bible-16-jan-2018/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/dimona-still-in-the-bible-16-jan-2018/#commentsTue, 16 Jan 2018 16:41:21 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6241Continue reading "Dimona Still in The Bible – 16 Jan 2018"]]>Dimona is a Negev city southeast of Beer Sheva, lying right between Abraham’s city and the Dead Sea. It is mentioned in the Bible as belonging to the Tribe of Judah, near the edge of the territory. (Josh 15:21-22) It is a small city, and is also home to the Black Hebrews. It is probably most famous for the Israeli Negev Nuclear Research Center beyond the limits of the city on the SE side. Since the Scriptures are written for us living at the end of the age, and hostility towards Israel’s rebirth as a nation are related, so, too, is the Jewish Israeli people’s opposition to the gospel, since we are “miraculously” succeeding and thriving as a nation “without believing in Jesus”.

We went down to Dimona last week, and again today. The situation there is heating up again, with the Chabad Rabbi stirring up protests and demonstrations against our friends and co-laborers, who are again opening up their nice little ‘meeting place’, situated just across from the offices of the city’s rabbinic authority (the Rabbinate). The Chabad rabbi brings together teenagers from the local yeshiva (Jewish study center) to annoy and to disturb their peace, and the peace of some of the other local shop owners in the commercial center of the city. Some of the general public join in. One particular woman next to their shop has stood out and challenged the protesters, being kind to A & E. A few others do the same. They are demonstrating a humble and quiet, but confident, spirit as they serve the Messiah Yeshua and love His people. The police chief was supposed to have met with them today, but cancelled the meeting. The mayor, who gave his personal permission to re-open the “Mifgash” after several months of being closed, has stepped back from any responsibility, and told A&E that the matter is between the police and the rabbis. The rabbis want the mayor to see to it that the “missionary center” is closed down for good.

Today a man came in and threatened A&E with their life if they do not close down the place. The stirred-up teens and the rabbi curse them, blaspheme the name of the Lord, call them Nazis or Haman or Edom; even Satan’s representatives. Is this not what Jesus told His disciples? If they called Him “Baalzebub”, or accused Him of having a demon, then they would call us and accuse us the same. This is part of our lives and calling as His disciples and witnesses; and if we suffer with Him, then we will also reign with Him. This should not be something that brings out antisemitism in a believer in the unchanging Word of God, who knows the end from the beginning. Nor should this diminish the hope of the believer in God’s covenantal plan and purpose for His nation that the day will come when they see Him whom they have pierced, and afflict their souls as He forgives them all of their sins and unfaithfulness against Him. (Lev 26:40-45; Zech 12:10-14; Heb 8:7-12; Rev 1:7)

The Jewish people remain partially hardened and blinded to the gospel, in the sovereign wisdom and everlasting love of God, so that the fullness of the Gentiles can come in; and they also remain beloved for the sake of the fathers — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel. Praise the LORD!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/dimona-still-in-the-bible-16-jan-2018/feed/1Dates and Appointed Times – 22 Dec 2017https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/hanukkahfeast-of-dedication/dates-and-appointed-times-22-dec-2017/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/hanukkahfeast-of-dedication/dates-and-appointed-times-22-dec-2017/#respondFri, 22 Dec 2017 09:09:55 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6227Continue reading "Dates and Appointed Times – 22 Dec 2017"]]>Dates are important in general, and appointed times carry more significance. For example, an appointment at the dentist becomes an ‘appointed/set time’. A wedding date is an appointed day and time.

Sometimes, we cannot be certain until the event occurs, such as the birth of a baby. We might know the approximate ‘due date’, but until that date passes, or if the baby is born earlier, we cannot be certain of that ‘appointed time’. Even should the day be accurately predicted, for a natural birth we cannot know in advance the exact hour of that appointed day.

YHVH, God of Israel and Creator of the Heavens and Earth, has given to Israel His appointed times for celebration, times which we call ‘holidays’ or celebrations, or the Feasts of the LORD. Those who believe in their prophetic significance as well usually understand that they all point to the Messiah, the Son of God — born, crucified, resurrected, and coming again to be the King of the Jews, the King of Israel — indeed, the King of the whole world. God the Father has set an ‘appointed time’ that no one knows for the anticipated ‘second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ’. That implies that it will come at an unexpected time, rather than at a set time that has already been given.

I believe that Haggai (whose name means ‘My holidays/celebrations’) the Prophet gives us another appointed time of YHVH, from which time He would bless His people, overturn worldly kingdoms, and shake Heaven and Earth. This set time is the 24th of the ninth month. Three times in ch. 2 of Haggai he is given to note that date:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+2:10-23

Shaking the heavens and the Earth are messianic terminology, and as the Apostle John writes in the Revelation, the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. In the letter to the Hebrews, the Holy Spirit inspired the writer to say that God will again shake the heavens and Earth, and this has to do with the second coming of the Lord.

The Hebrew/Jewish months begin with the Spring, two weeks before the Passover. Usually Passover comes in April on the western calendar. The ninth month of the Hebrew calendar is Chislev, which is the month in which the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins — on the evening of the 24th of the ninth month, and the first of eight candles is lit. Using April as the first month, the ninth month is December. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sonday, in the Spring. (‘Easter’ is based on a germanic word meaning ‘spring’, just as the Hebrew word ‘aviv’ is the word for Spring. Passover and the resurrection must always be in the Aviv/Spring, according to God’s instructions to Israel. For this, the lunar aspects of the calendar must be adjusted periodically to the solar ‘control’.)

Hanukkah was not a universe-shaking event, however significant it was in the history of the Jewish people and for the cleansing of the altar in the Temple. The birth of the true Savior and King was — and remains — a heaven-and-Earth-shaking event in the history of the world! With the solar calendar ‘ruling’, the Hebrew holidays shift a bit back and forth on the western calendar. Christians base the holidays on the sun (and the Sun of Righteousness has appeared!) The holidays have fixed dates according to this calendar; whereas Jewish holidays have fixed dates according the the lunar/solar calendar. (Muslims have no fixed ‘western’ dates for their holy days because their calendar is only lunar based.)

So for Christians, Easter is always the first Sonday following the first Full Moon after the Spring equinox. This fits with the commandment that the Passover must always be in the Spring/Aviv, and fall on the Full Moon. Firstfruits/the Resurrection follows, according the ch 23 of Leviticus, always should be on the ‘day after the Shabbat’, or, on the first day of the week.

It is my belief that the appointed time of the 24th of the ninth month given by YHVH to Haggai — and the consequences from that date — speaks of a ‘greater than Hanukkah’, even though Hanukkah has some partial fulfillment of a greater fulfillment (that still has not fully played out) that fulfills ‘every jot and tittle’ of the prophecy. So, in the goodness and the sovereignty of God, just as He accepted the Jewish people’s celebrations of what YHVH did for them at Hanukkah (and also Purim), so, too, has He accepted what believers in Jesus choose to celebrate: the greatest Earth-shaking act so far on that appointed day, fixed on the solar date of Dec 24/25, the One to whom all of the other appointed times of YHVH point, looking still to His return: the birth of the Lamb, the King of Israel, the Son of Mary, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, the Son of Man, the Son of God — in fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies given to humanity of the Savior who would come to save us from our sins. YHVH God took on human flesh and bones and blood — Immanuel! From God’s point of view, it has nothing to do with paganism; that is the devil’s work to spoil all that is holy. The child was born; the Son was given to Israel; and from that time forward He is Heir to the throne of David, and of the Kingdom of God! (Is 9:6-7)

Let us celebrate our amazing God and King in a way that honors and glorifies Him in holiness and purity, full of love for Him and for one another. The angelic voices still ring out: Peace on Earth, goodwill towards mankind!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/hanukkahfeast-of-dedication/dates-and-appointed-times-22-dec-2017/feed/0Go South, Young Man! – 21 Dec 2017https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/go-south-young-man-21-dec-2017/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/go-south-young-man-21-dec-2017/#respondThu, 21 Dec 2017 15:33:18 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6225The Jewish Week and Times of Israel newspapers have published an article on the importance of the Negev and of Beer Sheva to Israel’s future:

This situation is nothing new, as the article makes clear. Before my wife and I got married (and before we were believers in Jesus) , we went to speak with a progressive rabbi — liberal beyond Reform Judaism (I was raised Conservative). She (who is not Jewish) asked him who is a Jew. He said that anyone that wanted to be a Jew could be one. She said that she didn’t believe that, but that a Jew is one who has the DNA: someone might convert to the Jewish religion, but that did not make him/her a Jew. The rabbi said that’s not so: “anyone could be a Jew that wanted to be, as Ben-Gurion said”! Then I asked about those Jews who believe in Jesus (such as the organization Jews For Jesus), and say that they are still Jews. His face changed…..and hardened: “You can not be a Jew and believe in Jesus Christ!”

I grew up thinking that a Jew who became a believer in Jesus was either not a Jew anymore, or, at the least, was a bad Jew. My father and mother never reconciled with me still being Jewish after I became a believer. I say that I was born Jew-ish and was born-again a Jew! All this to say, I am not attempting to have Judaism accept me as a Jew. Whenever any Messianic Jew has gone to the Israeli courts to try to prove that they are still Jews for the purpose of aliyah, they have always lost, and brought more difficulty on the others, making aliyah of Jewish believers more difficult. But still, the Lord is bringing some over, including some with big names. Judaism will not accept us; some Jews will. Just like Islam will never accept Israel; but some Muslims might.

The particular story of this woman is really tragic, and only brings shame to our government and nation. Our hope is in Yeshua/Jesus, also despised and rejected, and thrown out of the vineyard. We, too, must go outside the camp where He is and bear His reproach.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/judaism/will-israel-ever-accept-messianic-jews/feed/4More on Jerusalem as Capital of Israel – 15 Dec 2017https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/more-on-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel-15-dec-2017/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/more-on-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel-15-dec-2017/#respondFri, 15 Dec 2017 10:00:40 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6204Continue reading "More on Jerusalem as Capital of Israel – 15 Dec 2017"]]>The whole issue revolves around whether someone believes that Israel is a legitimate sovereign nation or not. Jerusalem has always been Israel’s capital whenever there was a recognized Jewish nation in the land, including following the Babylonian captivity and during the Roman period at the time of Jesus and the apostles. Jerusalem was never declared the capital of any other country when controlling the land: not during the long Islamic occupation and the Ottoman Empire, and not during the years that Jordan and Palestinians controlled what is East Jerusalem from Israel’s independence in 1948 to the Six-Day War in 1967. The heartbeat of Jewish people everywhere throughout the generations of exile has been, “Next year in Jerusalem!”.

If someone — whether Christian, Jewish, or other — accepts Israel as legitimate under international Law (Balfour Declaration in 1917, San Remo Conference in 1920, League of Nations in 1922, United Nations in 1947) — then Jerusalem as the capital should not be so difficult. If for religious and other expediencies some one or some nation chooses to “trample Jerusalem under foot until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled”, then they are more likely to avoid the obvious reality. For those who believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to return from Heaven to the earthly Jerusalem and establish God’s Kingdom on Earth, then even more so should we be able to acknowledge the capital of Israel which King David founded at the Lord’s leading and revelation. While present Jerusalem may have the spirit of Sodom and Egypt (Rev 11:8), it is nonetheless destined to be the city of the great King to which all nations must go up during the Feast of Tabernacles to worship Him.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/more-on-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel-15-dec-2017/feed/0Jerusalem, Allenby, Trump, and Time of the Gentiles – 8 Dec 2017https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/jerusalem-allenby-trump-and-time-of-the-gentiles-8-dec-2017/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/jerusalem-allenby-trump-and-time-of-the-gentiles-8-dec-2017/#commentsFri, 08 Dec 2017 19:29:01 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6199Continue reading "Jerusalem, Allenby, Trump, and Time of the Gentiles – 8 Dec 2017"]]>At the beginning of this year, in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s election victory, and his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in recognition of it being the capital city of the State of Israel, I wrote the following:

It is interesting that the location of where the current consulate is now, in the Arnona neighborhood, is considered “West” Jerusalem, not East Jerusalem. So, we are still not talking about the Biblical boundaries of the city, or of that which is publicly spoken about to part of some possible future Palestinian state, with half of Jerusalem as its capital. So, it is clear that the issue here is not simply political.
I, for one, would at least like the U.S. — and other nations, too, for that matter — to recognize Jerusalem as being in Israel, and even her capital. If, for pragmatic reasons they choose not to locate their embassies and personnel there, I can accept that. No question that moving BACK to Jerusalem — since all the nations moved out around 1980 — will fire up a storm. The Scriptures do say that all nations will come against Jerusalem, so something must occur to rile them up to that extent.
Christians who believe God that Jerusalem is the City of the Great King, from which Jesus will reign after His return, should acknowledge Jerusalem as being in Israel, and her capital, whether embassies are located there or not.

Yesterday, the President declared in a rather historic statement that he (representing the United States of America) is officially recognizing that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. He did not refer to the whole of the city, nor did he mention east Jerusalem or west Jerusalem. If it weren’t for all of the religious and political connotations associated with the city chosen by YHVH God to be His holy city, referring to Jerusalem would be understood in the simplest sense: the whole of the city. (As mentioned in my quote above, the Biblical Jerusalem is the Old City, located in today’s “East Jerusalem”).

The timing of the announcement is also of interest, even if unintended: this next Monday, Dec. 11, is the 100th anniversary of British General Edmund Allenby walking into the Old City through Jaffa Gate, following the surrender of the city by the Ottoman Turks two days earlier. The victory in Beer Sheva had opened up the entire land of Turkish-ruled Palestine to be captured by the Allied forces in WW1, and of the public proclamation of the Balfour Declaration, which began the legal process in the international community to promote the reestablish the Jewish homeland in Palestine, or the Land of Israel.

The Lord Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Mesiah in the New Testament mentions prophetically and eschatologically that Jerusalem would be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles comes to an end. (Lk 21:24; Rev 11:2) This takes us through the time of great tribulation and the antichrist. Although some Bible teachers with an interest in prophecy teach that the “time of the Gentiles” ended in 1967 with the capture by Israel of Jerusalem from Jordan in the Six-Day War, it should be clear now — 50 years later — that this is simply not so. Maybe then it could have been thought so, but ever since then the nations and the Arabs have refused to accept Israel’s sovereignty over it’s own historic capital (since the time of King David!). Even now, with Trump’s announcement, the Gentiles — France, the U.K., Germany, the UN, the jihadi Arabs, the Vatican, even disaffected Jews — are largely refusing to accept and to agree that any part of Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, or that the Jewish people have any continuing interest or claims there, including to the most holy site — the Temple Mount.

The prophetic Word of God continues to be fulfilled right in front of our eyes in this generation. May the one, true God have mercy and open the eyes and soften the hearts of many, and strengthen the hearts of those who believe and gain hope.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/jerusalem-allenby-trump-and-time-of-the-gentiles-8-dec-2017/feed/1Beer Sheva Will Never Be The Same!https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/beer-sheva-will-never-be-the-same/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/beer-sheva-will-never-be-the-same/#respondMon, 06 Nov 2017 20:28:52 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6189Continue reading "Beer Sheva Will Never Be The Same!"]]>Thank-you for your prayers connected with the events here in Beer Sheva for the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC Beer Sheva Charge and victory. The city has never had a day like this before! The PM of Australia and of Israel were present; the Governor-General of New Zealand was there (the NZ gov’t has just had a change of PM). Security was at an all-time employment; the municipality put out a tremendous effort to put on a spectacular day that has received very high remarks from the Aussies (especially) and Kiwis that we have spoken with. I was very impressed with the remarks made by the Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull. Also the new ANZAC Museum was dedicated, and, thankfully, the ones I know who have been praying and acting for years for it are very pleased!

On the evening of the 30th, we had about 200 join us in praising and worshiping the Lord God of history. Groups led by Norman and Barbara Miller, and by Ross and Bronwyn Poulton, and others streamed together to the ‘Old House’. Ruth Webb and her team from Australia led most of the time of praise and worship. It was a celebratory evening as we came before the Sovereign God who intervenes into history to accomplish His will and advance His Kingdom purposes. We also brought out our flags of most of the cities of the Negev, and prayed for them: that God would breakthrough in the Spirit to bring many more souls to know the Father and the Son in this dry and thirsty desert. YHVH of Hosts (Armies) is able to capture the hearts of sinful people who are thirsty for living water through their repentance and faith in the good news of Yeshua the Messiah that God still proclaims. The Holy Spirit is in the world to convict persons of their unbelief in Jesus as the Messiah (Anointed One) and Son of God.

The 31st, which also marked the 500th anniversary of the ‘official beginning’ of the Reformation, was a long but beautiful day in Beer Sheva. We awoke at 4:30am in order to be at the football (soccer) stadium before 6:00, where the initial screening process took place. Buses transported people to the British WW1 War Memorial Cemetery, where the main commemorative event was held. Airport-type security was set up there for those who had entry passes. There were more than 4000 people, with even more from the city coming for the open-to-the-public parade following, and for the peaceful ‘re-enactment’ of the charge in the afternoon. The Kiwis held a special ceremony at Tel B-S, which was where their forces captured this strategic site from the Turks prior to the Light Horse charge on that fateful Oct 31, 1917. The day closed for those with passes with the largest bar-b-q in Israel for 2000 persons at the Park of the Australian Soldier. Randi and I were able to speak about our faith in Yeshua with an Israeli Jewish Australian, and we met some descendants of those who had a role in the victories of that day, and again were able to let them know of our interest in how the Lord was active in that day’s events and outcomes.

Much of the Israeli media made note of the fact that the Balfour Declaration went out as a result of that courageous victory, yet there is much debate (as usual) whether or not the declaration was a good thing or not. As Yeshua asked the leaders of the people in His day: was the baptism of John of God or of men, so today the question can be put: is the reestablishment of Israel in its ancient homeland of God or of men? The destinies of peoples and nations are wrapped up one’s heart attitude and choice to this question. While it is not in itself a salvation issue whether one ‘gets it’ regarding Israel, the attitude of one’s heart and mind towards her may indicate other issues of the heart that do relate to our relationship with the one true God. Thanks to all of you who stand with the Lord for His name’s sake, and for His stake, in Israel’s salvation!

God has always been Sovereign King – Sovereign Lord – over His creation, both in the Heavens and on the Earth. He made His plan for Creation and for Redemption before the beginning of time, space, and matter. All things that exist were created and made by YHVH God. Nothing exists apart from Him, and it is by Yeshua/Jesus, through Yeshua/Jesus, and for Yeshua/Jesus that all things were created, visible and invisible. (Col 1:15-17) And Yeshua/Jesus is the King that the Father has ordained to inherit and to rule over all that is. In other words, Yeshua/Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of God; therefore, He will be the King of Israel, and the King of the nations, and the King of the angels. He is God of gods, King of kings, and Lord of lords! (Ps 136:1-3; Rev 15:3-4; Ps 2)

From the beginning, God created the angels to worship and to serve Him, being witnesses of His unfolding creation and order. But before long, iniquity was found in Lucifer, and he rebelled against YHVH his God, and brought a third of the angels in rebellion with him. War was declared in the heavenlies, and God continued His amazing plan of redemption to bring the whole of creation under His righteous and benevolent rule. The Lamb of God was slain before the foundation of the Earth, for the Lord knew the truth of all created beings, and the cost He would have to pay to receive their love.

From the beginning, before He created them, God spoke that Man – whom He created in His image and likeness – would rule with Him in and over His creation. (Gen 1:26-28; Ps 8:4-9; 1Cor 6:2-3) Adam and Eve disobeyed the Word of God to them, God’s visible kingdom was compromised, and the devil cunningly received power and authority for an opposing kingdom to cause chaos in God’s righteous and peaceful order. The LORD kept on.

The LORD was so upset with humanity that He destroyed nearly all of it in the Flood, saving only Noah and his family. That Flood came 1656 years after Adam was created, or about 4364 years ago (~2348 BC). After the Flood, God gave Noah and mankind foundational governmental regulations to enable “peaceful coexistence” among humanity, and also penalties (including death) for those who violated these basic laws. God put His bow in the sky as a sign of the covenant that He made and gave to Noah and all human beings as an everlasting covenant, reminding God and us that He will never destroy all flesh again by flood. (Gen 9:1-17)

It did not take too long before again mankind rebelled against YHVH and His Kingdom. This openly manifested itself at the Tower of Babel, and God again intervened to establish His sovereignty and to punish those who acted against Him. As always, the righteous suffered with the unrighteous, and all mankind was scattered over the face of the Earth – and the lands themselves were divided — and languages were confused to make communication difficult between people and ethnic groups. (Gen 11:1-9; 1Chron 1:19)

Once again, God acted to carry out His plan and purpose, this time by calling a specific man, Abram, about 400 years after Noah died, to whom and through whom YHVH cut a covenant and gave promises, and an oath, that redemption and salvation would come through Abram’s/Abraham’s seed for the nation of Abraham’s descendants, and for individuals from every ethnic group and language. (Gen 17:1-12) But again, man acted without understanding God’s wisdom and power to carry out His plan in His way. Abraham and Sarah did not wait completely until the LORD would give them the son He promised them. They obtained a son in a culturally acceptable way, but not according to God’s for His purpose, and only God’s way brings honor and glory to Him and the best consequences for everyone else. This other son, after the birth of Isaac, the promised son, brought strife within the family of Abraham and Sarah. This continues through Isaac’s son Jacob, and his twin brother. It enters into the family of Jacob, with the 11 brothers of Jacob envying Joseph, the son that Jacob especially loved. But none of this stopped God from continuing in fulfilling His will to establish His Kingdom over His own chosen people, and over the world that He made! His Word is settled in Heaven, and by His own zeal He will perform it – every jot and tittle!

The Lord had given Joseph two dreams, which further infuriated his brothers, who then sold him as a slave, thinking that they would never see him again. But God also sent a very severe famine into the land of Canaan and Egypt and the whole region. And by that time, Joseph had risen to be ruler over Egypt under Pharaoh. God worked all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! Joseph helped save his estranged family, and reminded them also of the promise of the Lord to give them the Land of Canaan for their inheritance. Although another Pharaoh later made life nearly unbearable for the descendants of Joseph and of the whole family of Jacob, God acted according to His prophetic covenant promise to Abraham to deliver them, and to bring them into the land of Canaan, which He promised with an oath to give them for an everlasting possession. (Gen 15:12-21)

God did bring them out of Egypt with many possessions, and into the Promised Land, but once again had to chastise and punish His own chosen people for their unbelief, disobedience, and rebellion. The LORD gave Israel His Law of commandments and instructions about how they should live and serve Him in His Kingdom. But they rebelled against God’s chosen ruler and deliverer for them, Moses, and against His chosen high-priestly family, Aaron’s. Then God brought in Joshua Ben-Nun to lead the people after Moses died, and under his military leadership, the Israelis conquered the land from those who had been there, under the direction of YHVH, because the sins of the Canaanites had exceeded His merciful long-suffering. But the Israelis themselves were unfaithful to God’s covenants with them and He had to continually chastise and punish them: He was their Father, and they were His children. He was their King, and they were His subjects; He was their holy God, and they were chosen to be His holy people.

God faithfully sent judges and prophets to the people, but they wanted in their hearts to be like the Gentiles, and not a holy people for their holy God and King. The LORD gave them a king that they wanted, Saul, who also failed in obeying the will of God. Then God gave them a king after His own heart, David, and made a covenant with him – and an oath — that through him the Messiah would come, and establish the Kingdom of God over the House of Jacob forever. (2Sam 7:8-17; Ps 89:19-37; Jer 33:14-26; Lk 1:30-33)

Although the people continued to be unfaithful to God, He remained faithful to His own Word and holy Name. The kingdom of David had to be divided after his son, Solomon’s reign; God had to expel nearly all of the people of the 10 northern tribes because of their idolatry; He then had to exile the two southern tribes, causing His people to learn what it was to live and to serve foreign rulers and gods. In simple terms, what is this grave sin of idolatry that God continually commanded and warned His people not to commit?: they were not to mix the cultural and religious practices of the unbelieving pagan people around them with the holy and righteous Way of the LORD. This commandment and warning remains with believers in Jesus under the New Covenant. (1Jn 2:15-17; Ja 1:27; 4:4-5)

Understand here: despite all of the opposition within and without to YHVH’s righteous rule and Kingdom, HE was advancing His kingdom over the nations and of His people. He was Sovereign Lord over all the affairs of kings and nations, and He was moving on! He already knew from before the Creation what He purposed to do, how He would do it, the opposition to Him by the devil, the sinfulness in Man that would resist His holy character and ways. And as the Lord of Hosts (Armies), God was also bringing up His children from being slaves in Egypt to becoming His soldiers in advancing and fighting for Him and for His kingdom.

Ultimately, the Messiah, Yeshua, was born in Bethlehem some 2000 years after Abraham, and 1000 years after David. God has a plan, and a time-table, and He is patient and long-suffering in His love so that more people can be saved from their sin and separation from God, and come into His Kingdom and household. We are called to be His witnesses, and His soldiers to fight the good fight of faith, and to bring down every thought which opposes God, bringing them captive into the obedience of Messiah/Christ. (2Cor 10:4-6; 2Tim 2:1-7) The gospel is to go out to every people group until the end of the age, and believers are to grow to full maturity in their thinking and in their actions. All things work together for good for those who love God, and who are called according to His purpose: to be conformed to the image of His Son in anticipation of being His holy and spotless Bride, to rule and to reign with Him in the Kingdom of God forever. This constant warfare by God against evil has a purpose, and has an end.

After about 400 years of silence from the prophets, God’s time had come to bring the promised Messiah and Savior into the world, and Yeshua was born. About 30 years later, John the Baptizer began his prophetic ministry, and his message was the same as the prophets who had come before: repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand! Then the Messiah Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, began His ministry with the same message: repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand! This remains the message for God’s people today, and for the world at large. There is still much unbelief, disobedience, and rebellion within the household of God, not to mention from the world outside. Just read the Lord’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation. (Even during the Millennial Kingdom there will be sin and rebellion in the hearts of many people!)

The vision of the prophets was the coming Kingdom of God. And Jesus, who came to do God’s will, preached the Kingdom of God. This was His mission: “I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Lk 4:43) And it was for this that He was persecuted like all the other prophets before Him. Yet, He is greater than the other prophets, and He is more than they: He is the Son of God! And He has come to save His people from their sins. And as always in the history of human beings, people resisted and rejected God’s chosen person and God’s good will. Even killing the Heir to the Kingdom did not stop God’s kingdom from advancing. The coming of the Messiah, and His death and resurrection, marks the new beginning of God’s advancement of His Kingdom in the affairs of this world, and of His intention to save not only the Jewish people, but also from among the Gentiles; not only His chosen nation, Israel, in the land of promise, but also other nations in lands for which He has given them borders. (Acts 17:26-27; Is 19:23-25)

After Yeshua ascended back to Heaven to sit at the Father’s side, 10 days later God poured out the Holy Spirit on men and women, young and old, enabling disciples of Jesus to preach the same message of repentance and faith in this good news about God’s Kingdom for the forgiveness of sins, and to spread this message to all peoples to the ends of the Earth. This has been continuing for almost 2000 years now (two days to God), and is not yet completed. But it will be before the Lord returns to establish His Kingdom as a kingdom that will not pass away.

But as already said, God’s salvation is not for individuals only, but for nations, with Israel as His first-born. While ‘the world’, and many within God’s house, and many Jewish persons were saying either that God is finished with Israel the nation, or that there was no God of Israel anymore, God once again intervened in the affairs of men, and made the way for the Jewish people to return in large numbers to the Land of Promise, and for the people to once again become a nation in its own land. (Jer 23:7-8) Toward this end, the Lord used many Gentiles from the isles of the seas, and from the far ends of the Earth, to participate in His plan and purpose. We are remembering these days how the ANZAC – Australians and New Zealanders with their dear and battle-trusty Walers – came thousands of kilometers from their homes to fight and suffer and die, in order that we can be living here today, and worshipping our Father in Heaven from this place in Beer Sheva, the City of the Fathers, which Abraham named. In YHVH’s sovereign ways, the historic moment came and the Balfour Declaration officially sanctioned the return of the Jewish people to return to their ancient homeland. And to this, too, their is strenuous opposition to the plan and will of the LORD. The devil remains wicked, people and rulers remain fickle, but the Word of YHVH abides forever and accomplishes what He thought and spoke it to do! God’s Kingdom has been relentlessly streaming through history towards its destination.

We are to be spiritual warriors, fighting for truth and righteousness, and battling against the sins which hinder our fellowship with the Lord and with one another. The conflict and rebellion are not over yet, but we have the certain hope that the Lord Jesus Christ will return, that we who love His appearing will be either resurrected or caught up when He the last shofar calls, and that the Kingdom of God will be restored to Israel, and over all the nations of the Earth. The battle is not in vain, and the final victory will be very sweet and satisfying! All to the glory of our great God and Savior! Let us not lose heart, but be stirred up to complete the assignment each of us has received from the Lord, putting on the full armor of God that we may withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand as more than conquerors in Him who loves us.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-kingdom-of-god-streaming-through-history/feed/0Beer Sheva’s Capture in 1948 Independence War – Oct 15-22, 1948https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/beer-shevas-capture-in-1948-independence-war-oct-15-22-1948/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/beer-shevas-capture-in-1948-independence-war-oct-15-22-1948/#respondSun, 15 Oct 2017 08:31:34 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6163Continue reading "Beer Sheva’s Capture in 1948 Independence War – Oct 15-22, 1948"]]>The War of Independence for the nascent State of Israel began immediately after the declaration of statehood by the first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion on May 14, 1948. The Negev was an essential part of the territory that Israel would need to protect itself from Egypt from the south, and to enable development of the new country.

Beginning on Oct 15, 1948, Operation Yoav began with the mission of capturing Beer Sheva from the Egyptians, and open up the way to the entire southern desert. On Oct 21, in Operation Moses, the Israeli forces captured the city, making possible Israel’s ultimate victory against the Arab armies which attacked her at the very beginning of her restoration. The conflict remains unresolved till today, but the God of Israel will fulfill His intentions to restore His Kingdom to His people chosen to be His holy inheritance. (Is 19:23-25)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/beer-sheva-and-anzac-related-articles/feed/0The ANZAC Beer Sheva Charge – Oct 31, 1917https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/the-anzac-beer-sheva-charge-oct-31-1917/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/the-anzac-beer-sheva-charge-oct-31-1917/#respondTue, 10 Oct 2017 19:30:12 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6154Continue reading "The ANZAC Beer Sheva Charge – Oct 31, 1917"]]>This Oct 31 marks the 100th anniversary of the heroic victorious charge of the Australian Light Horse Brigade of between 500-800 horsemen against the entrenched Ottoman Turkish forces in Beer Sheva. The stakes were high: water was urgently necessary for the horses and the soldiers; the element of surprise in the attack required an out-right victory; the conquest of Jerusalem and of the Holy Land of Israel from the hands of the Islamic occupiers of the covenanted Promised Land to the children of Israel was an intervention by YHVH to break through a 1900-yr impasse of His righteous judgment of exile against His chosen people scattered among the nations. As has been stated by others: WW1 prepared the Land for the people; WW2 prepared the people for the Land.

It took the excruciating defeat with many casualties of the Allies, including the ANZAC, in Gallipoli, Turkey, in April 2015, to bring the British to Palestine, with the understanding that they needed to control this territory for their own geo-political interests once the “Great War” would be over. In what must have seemed like another suicide mission, the Australian Light Horse — both horses and riders – achieved nothing short of a resurrection victory that has catalyzed the strategy of the Lord of Hosts towards His soon coming victory over all those who oppose Him. The capture of Beer Sheva 100 years ago, the only city which the Turks built during their rule in the country, came on the 400th anniversary to the day of the Reformation, which opened up the Scriptures to the common man, and the truth of God concerning Israel as still being loved for the fathers’ sakes; and it came also after 400 years of Ottoman Islamic rule in Palestine.

In the sovereignty of God, the WW1 Palestine campaign was a turning point in the affairs of men and nations. With the victory of the British and ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Allied Forces in the Land of Israel, the victorious parties determined the current make-up of the Middle East, with the fig tree (Israel) and the other trees (the surrounding Arabic nations, as well as other nations receiving statehood around the same time) receiving their own sovereignty and boundaries that have brought back nations specifically mentioned in the prophetic Scriptures, with their end-time implications. The Beer Sheva Charge (also known as the 3rd Gaza Battle, since the Turks and their German allies expected the battle there) and victory made possible the public proclamation of the historic Balfour Declaration two days later, on November 2, by the British government. This document stated the intent by the “Cyrus nation” Britain to help the Jewish people reestablish their ancient homeland. In the sovereign wisdom of God, He used Gentiles to help His people return to Israel, many sacrificing their lives in the process. (Learn much more by Kelvin Crombie in his excellent books and DVDs, https://www.heritageresources.com.au/ )

Mass Jewish immigration to Palestine (Israel) began in earnest in 1882. That is called the First Immigration (or “Ascent” in Hebrew: aliyah). The second wave of aliyah began in 1904, up to the start of the World War. These returns to Zion were primarily prompted by anti-semitic riots (pogroms), but the Father God of Israel was also stirring the hearts and minds of the Jewish people (and of some Bible-believing Christians to encourage them) to “go back home”. I don’t read in the history of any serious dispute arising between the Jewish returnees and the resident Arabs living in Palestine in those days. The Jews began to cultivate and to reclaim the desolate soil, which responded fruitfully to its “owners”.

However, once the Balfour Declaration spoke of a reestablished homeland for the Jewish people, the Islamic spirit rose up to say, “NO WAY! God is finished with you! And if we can’t have it, neither will you!” The conflict began openly in the 1920’s. It is interesting to consider that when Yeshua gave signs of His coming again to restore God’s Kingdom to Israel, He mentioned wars and rumors of wars; kingdom shall rise against kingdom. Ever since the Jewish return has been legally ratified by the Gentile nations – and especially since the State of Israel was realized in 1948 – these wars and kingdoms have only been growing and intensifying. Nations may come and go in their support of Israel’s existence and security, but YHVH God is going on as He sovereignly and righteously carries out His plan and purpose of redemption for His holy name’s sake – both for individuals from every people group, and also for the nation of Israel, and for the other nations.

Our congregation, Yeshua’s Inheritance, has been actively involved in this whole matter concerning the ANZAC since 2001. I had met Kelvin Crombie a year or two earlier, and learned of his avid interest and involvement with the “players” and with the annual commemoration in Beer Sheva every Oct. 31 at the British WW1 War Memorial Cemetery. Incredibly, both then, and even now, many locals know little or nothing about this annual event, which brings dignitaries from the Australian and New Zealand governments, Turkish military representatives (there is even a commemoration honoring the defeated Turkish soldiers at a special monument not far from the cemetery), the Mayor of Beer Sheva, and a rabbi and a Christian minister. (You can listen to a wonderful sermon and prayer by Murray Dixon, who understands the significance of the Beer Sheva Charge: http://nevereverthesame.com/sermons/the-battle-for-beer-sheba-murray-dixon )

This year’s event will see a peaceful ‘reenactment’ of the Charge, with about 100 horses and riders, some of them descendants of the Light Horse soldiers in that battle. There will also be a special event at Tel Beer Sheva, which the Kiwi Mounted Rifles captured from the Turks around midday, making possible the Aussie Light Horse charge in the later afternoon. The Prime Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, and Israel are scheduled to attend, as well as dignitaries from Britain, Germany, and Turkey. A new ANZAC Museum adjacent to the cemetery is to be dedicated that day. As a congregation, we will be accommodating a large number of those who have not been able to find a place to sleep!

We invited Kelvin to come and guide our congregation on a Western Negev tour in 2001, which traced the ANZAC movement towards their placement outside Beer Sheva, near Tel Beer Sheva, on that fateful Oct. 31. Each year we host many dear brothers and sisters from down under and from the UK — from the ends of the Earth and the isles of the sea — and have held several praise and worship events with them, both at our congregational home, and also at Tel Beer Sheva, and at the Negev Brigade Monument, which overlooks the city. (That monument remembers the victory of Israel over Egypt to take back Beer Sheva in the 1948-49 Independence War). The Lord opened the doors for us to make several trips to Australia, and also one to New Zealand, and it has been very refreshing to see how the Lord works in history. We are a part of His story, and we are still living in Bible days, as God is fulfilling His promises spoken long ago for this generation near the end of the age. It gives us living in the desert, in the city that Abraham named, something precious to hold onto: being a part of the redemption of Israel, as part of the aliyah from all the lands where the LORD scattered us in a greater deliverance than bringing us out of Egypt at the Passover. The battle is still engaged. Can the return of the Victor, the Lord Jesus Christ, be far off!?https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/photos/anzacbeer-sheva-day-oct-31/

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/the-anzac-beer-sheva-charge-oct-31-1917/feed/0Rejoice! And Again I Say, Rejoice!https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/day-of-atonementsyom-kippur/rejoice-and-again-i-say-rejoice/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/day-of-atonementsyom-kippur/rejoice-and-again-i-say-rejoice/#commentsTue, 03 Oct 2017 17:15:24 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6145Continue reading "Rejoice! And Again I Say, Rejoice!"]]>Rejoicing is the spiritual atmosphere of the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths.

Dt 16:13-15

You shall observe the Feast of Booths seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to YHVH your God in the place which YHVH chooses, because YHVH your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will surely rejoice!

Why should we greatly rejoice during Succot? What makes this an especially joyful holiday which the God of Israel has given to His people, and eventually also to the nations? (Zech 14:16-19)

In God’s calendar of redemption which He gave to Israel, the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles follows the Day of Atonements in the seventh month. The Day of Atonements is the day of judgment, based on whether one accepted God’s sacrifice that day or not. It was (and remains) a national, and an individual response to the Holy God, in order that He could dwell in the midst of His people. (Lev 23:28-30; 16:29-34; Heb 9:7-8; Zech 12:10-14) Yom Kippur looks ahead to the salvation of the full remnant of all Israel in that day when they look upon Him whom they have pierced, and individually and collectively mourn for Him as for an only son, as their souls are afflicted for their sinfulness against YHVH their God. What a great celebration of rejoicing it will be when the Lord and King Messiah Yeshua returns to dwell among His holy people in the Kingdom of God! The war is over! Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people. All their sins, transgressions, and iniquities are forgiven. Lift up the cup of salvations!

It is during Succot that the Jewish people remember God being with them, as He led them through the desert for 40 years after delivering them from slavery in Egypt at the Passover. During those 40 years their clothes and even their sandals did not wear out! (Dt 29:5) God provided food, water, and protection throughout their sojourn to the Promised Land. He commanded them to remember this each year by constructing booths (succot), and to rejoice as they remember the liberty that He brought them into to serve Him. It is also the time of the fruit harvest – the third and final harvest — in Israel. Yet we read in Nehemiah that the children of Israel had not built booths for themselves since the days of Joshua, almost 1000 years earlier! (Lev 23:40-43; Neh 8:13-18)

So what does this mean for us who believe now in Yeshua, whether we are Jewish or Gentile? We can greatly rejoice in our salvation already, knowing that atonement has been made for our own sinfulness by the sacrificial death of Yeshua and His shed blood of the New Covenant. God dwells within and with those who have accepted the Lord’s sacrifice on the cross that historic Passover, and we can daily remember His care and provision for us all the years as we sojourn towards that promised city of the New Jerusalem, with all of those who have gone before us! (Heb 11; Jn 14:22-24; Rev 21:1-4) We remember that He has redeemed us from slavery to sin and unrighteousness, and freed us to serve Him in His kingdom of righteousness. And as we abide in the true vine, Yeshua, we will produce much good spiritual fruit unto the Lord. Despite all the increasing manifestation of evil in the world, we have a peace that surpasses all understanding, and a living hope that sustains us through the pain and trauma and loss for a better day that God has promised when Yeshua comes again.

A succa (booth) is a temporary, weak, fragile structure. It can blow away or fall down in a strong wind. It is not permanent, nor intended to be. It is not a long-term dwelling place; it is only a place of temporary residence. The living God dwells within every born-again believer permanently, forever. The temporary tabernacle (mishkan) which is our earthly body will go (2Pt 1:13-14), but the Holy Spirit’s dwelling place within us will remain with us into eternity in our new bodies, and God Himself will dwell among us in the person of Jesus (by whatever new name He will have – Rev 3:12) forever and ever! Is this not reason even now to greatly rejoice?! What great and precious promises we have because of God’s redemptive plan of salvation!

Phlp 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/day-of-atonementsyom-kippur/rejoice-and-again-i-say-rejoice/feed/3Simchat Torahhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/succotfeast-of-boothsfeast-of-tabernacles/simchat-torah/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/succotfeast-of-boothsfeast-of-tabernacles/simchat-torah/#commentsTue, 03 Oct 2017 14:18:19 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6140Continue reading "Simchat Torah"]]>Simchat Torah (the Joy of the Torah) is the Jewish celebration of the Torah, or the Law of Moses given by YHVH to Israel at Sinai. In the synagogues they not only conclude the reading of the five books of Moses which are read throughout the year, but they also begin to read Genesis again to begin the new cycle as an expression of their joy in the Law of Moses, which for them is more ‘holy’ and authoritative than the other portions of the Old Testament (Tenach).

Yeshua stood and cried out on this last great day of the Feast that all who are thirsty should come unto Him and drink, and out of their hearts would flow rivers of living water. From a Messianic perspective, the Law of Moses leaves one dry and thirsty, and it is the Messiah, YHVH God come in the flesh, the Word of God become flesh, who alone can refresh tired and weary souls incapable of pleasing God by works of the Law. There is a connection between the Gospel and the Word becoming flesh: both words – gospel and flesh – have the same Hebrew root, bet-seen-resh (ב-ש-ר). We have the bread of communion to remind us.

Returning to the uniqueness of Yeshua, He is also the “poretz”, the one who breaks open (or breaks through) of Mic 2:13. He is described in that verse as being the King, who is YHVH! What is significant about all this for Simchat Torah? In some of the Jewish sources since the time of Yeshua, the rabbis have said that the poretz is the Messiah, and that He has the full authority – which only resides in God the Father – to bring renewal to the Torah and to properly define it! Despite all that they say, they obviously remain partially hardened and blinded to the truth of Messiah being Yeshua/Jesus. Anyone but Him! Until . . . the fullness of the Gentiles comes in to the Commonwealth of Israel, and then the full remnant of Israel and the Jewish people see Him whom they have pierced, and their souls are afflicted for all their sinfulness towards God and His covenants with them. (Hos 5:15)

This 8th day celebration marks the end of Succot/the Feast of Booths. May the Jewish people all over the world return back to the God of their fathers through the One who has broken through the heavens and become like unto us for redemption and salvation, and rejoice in Him! Yeshua alone gives peace and satisfies the soul. The Law of Messiah is superior to that of Moses, and the love which is God’s will eternally be lived out in those who love Him! May we see the Lord’s return in our generation!

Please pray:
–for the salvation of the Jewish people
–for Gentile Christian believers to provoke Israel to jealousy, and to show mercy to the nation and people
–for God to bring HIS peace to Jerusalem

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/succotfeast-of-boothsfeast-of-tabernacles/simchat-torah/feed/1Heads of State Prepare for 100th Anniversary of the Beer Sheva Chargehttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/heads-of-state-prepare-for-100th-anniversary-of-the-beer-sheva-charge/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/heads-of-state-prepare-for-100th-anniversary-of-the-beer-sheva-charge/#commentsThu, 28 Sep 2017 15:15:04 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6133Continue reading "Heads of State Prepare for 100th Anniversary of the Beer Sheva Charge"]]>Beer Sheva is gearing up for historic visits by Prime Ministers of two distant countries whose brave soldiers fought on our local soil in a spectacular battle against the Turks and the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago on October 31, 1917.

The two PM’s are Malcolm Turnbull of Australia, and Bill English of New Zealand, whose ANZAC troops fought together on that day of destiny to open the way for the British-led Allied forces to capture the Holy Land from the Islamic Caliphate of the day, and to pave the way for the proclamation of the Balfour Declaration on Nov 2, 1917. This document gave impetus for the return of the Jewish people back to the Land of Israel.

A new ANZAC museum is currently undergoing construction at the location of the WW1 British War Cemetery in Beer Sheva, and will also be officially dedicated as part of this year’s special commemoration. The Israel PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, is also scheduled to attend.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/beer-sheva/heads-of-state-prepare-for-100th-anniversary-of-the-beer-sheva-charge/feed/2Sold His Soul For Price of A Killed Slavehttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/sold-his-soul-for-price-of-a-killed-slave/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/sold-his-soul-for-price-of-a-killed-slave/#respondFri, 22 Sep 2017 19:30:40 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6105Continue reading "Sold His Soul For Price of A Killed Slave"]]>Mk 14:10-26

In the passage just before ours here, Mary (Jn 12:3) is remembered for pouring very expensive oil on the head and feet of Jesus. The value of the oil was a year’s wage of a common laborer. Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, was very bothered by this expensive waste (destruction) – in his estimation — saying that the oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But John tells us in his gospel account that Judas did not care about the poor, but that he was a thief who stole from offerings given to Jesus and those with Him. (Jn 12:6) Today we are going to remember Judas, for our learning and admonition.

Mary loved Yeshua, and she did not count the cost to express her love. She sat at His feet to listen to Him, even though her sister was busy preparing a meal for them. (Lk 10:38-42) Mary wanted to be with Yeshua for who He is: the lover of her soul. Judas did not love Yeshua, but rather the privileges of being one of the Messiah’s specially chosen disciples, and of the power and influence that it gave him to be with the promised King of Israel, son of David. Judas had a serious character flaw, and we see that, despite knowing and being with the Lord and hearing His teachings and doing all the wonderful things that the other apostles also performed for those 3 ½ years, he never really submitted to the Lord’s sovereignty and His holy and righteous character, and to the truth that Yeshua really knew the hearts of every man. (Jn 2:23-25; Acts 1:24; Heb 4:13)

In ch. 13, Yeshua taught His disciples that in the last days many false messiahs and false prophets would come to deceive the elect, if possible. The devil is a master deceiver. Judas was with, and knew, the true Messiah, and the true Prophet, but allowed himself to be deceived because, I believe, he wanted to ‘make Jesus’ act now — Kingdom now! – by force, if necessary, to establish His kingdom, and Judas would play a key role. He would be the hero! Our hearts are deceitfully wicked! Our flesh is still battling the Spirit of God within us. (Gal 5:17)

The devil deceived Judas into thinking he was doing a good thing in betraying Jesus to the Jewish rulers. When Jesus, at the Passover supper, told Judas to go out and do it quickly (Jn 13:27). None of the other apostles knew where he went or what he was about to do. Judas apparently thought that Jesus was sending him to do his ‘deceit’, and so accomplish a good thing. How else to explain that when the time came, Judas gave the sign to those sent to arrest Jesus that he would kiss Jesus so that they would know which man to arrest?! (Mk 14:43-44) Judas was completely deceived by the devil, and it even says that Satan entered into him. (Lk 22:3; Jn 13:27) When things did not work out as he had planned, he went back to the religious leaders to give them back the money, and confessed that he betrayed an innocent man. They, and the devil, did not care about Judas. Neither did Judas go back to Jesus and confess his sin and receive forgiveness. Instead he went and killed himself. Judas fulfilled a number of prophecies in the Old Testament (Tanach) by his betrayal of the Son of God (which you can look up, and pay attention to as you read the Bible).

Yeshua knew that one of the twelve that the Father had Him choose to become His apostles was a devil. (Jn 6:70-71) Does that mean that Judas never had a chance, that God had predestined him to destruction? Judas is called by the same name as the Antichrist: the son of perdition/destruction (ben-ha-abbadon). (Jn 17:12; 2Thes 2:3) At the last supper, when Jesus revealed which one of the apostles would be His betrayer (because no one knew! Each one even thought it might be himself, and they were sorrowful! That’s how much Jesus related to Judas in the same manner as with the rest!), Jesus said to all of them that it would happen just as it is written that it must, but “woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” (Mk 14:17-21) Yeshua, the righteous Judge of the dead and living, could never have said that if Judas had no free will, at least up until the time that he sold himself to the devil. God foreknows all things; God is sovereign; but as being created in His image and likeness, each of us has our own free will: to either choose to obey the Lord or to disobey Him; to either choose good or evil; to either choose life or death; to either choose to be with Jesus, or to be against Him. It was not at all a good deed that Judas thought to do, and did.

The context of the texts reveal that though Judas had “received his portion” in the Lord’s ministry (Acts 1:16-17), he “fell ”, and went to his “own place” (perdition/destruction/abaddon). (Acts 1:25) A believer – even an apostle — can fall from the truth and lose all that he had. (1Tim 4:1) Jesus tells us that he who endures [in the faith] until the end will be saved. The fear of the LORD is essential for our spiritual health. We can have confidence in our salvation, yet we are never to take it – or God — for granted. It/He is not cheap: we are very expensive! God came in the flesh to die for us; we are bought with the precious blood of Yeshua. We are called to love and to remain faithful to the Father and to His Son, and He has given us His Holy Spirit to make that possible for every believer.

Let us learn from the tragic case of Judas Iscariot to examine and judge our own hearts in our relationship with Jesus, and of our standing in the faith. (1Cor 11:26-32; 2Cor 13:5-6; 2Pt 1:4-11) As we remember in a special way this week the atonement for all our sins which God provided for us by the crucifixion and shed blood of the Messiah, Yeshua, let us be eternally grateful, and let Him accomplish His plan His way in His time, and help bring in others to know Him and love Him above all, too.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/sold-his-soul-for-price-of-a-killed-slave/feed/0Arad Still A “Canaanite” Stronghold – 18 Sept 2017https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/negev/arad-still-a-canaanite-stronghold-18-sept-2017/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/negev/arad-still-a-canaanite-stronghold-18-sept-2017/#respondMon, 18 Sep 2017 06:40:21 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6090Continue reading "Arad Still A “Canaanite” Stronghold – 18 Sept 2017"]]>The small city of Arad lays between Beer Sheva and the Dead Sea. It is situated for clean air, beautiful panoramic views of the Judean and Negev deserts, and cold winter winds. Arad was the first city in Canaan that the Israelis captured as they neared the Promised Land after the Exodus from Egypt. Yet, because the LORD had sentenced them to 40 years in the wilderness before they would enter the land, they did not continue from the south to capture the land, but wound up going back and around to the eastern side of the Jordan River to eventually capture Jericho and much (but not all) of the rest of the inheritance. (Num 21:1-5) Tel Arad, going back to at least the kings of Judah, has remains of a temple dedicated to both YHVH and to Asherah, paganizing the Jewish worship.

Today, and for many years, the Messianic believers in Yeshua in Arad have suffered much harassment and hardships from a group of non-Zionist ultra-orthodox Jews, whose intent is to control the city. That harassment and intent has now extended to the secular residents and citizens of the city as well. The Canaanite spirit of religious idolatry and antagonism to YHVH’s people and to the faith in Him whose name is great, continues to this day.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/negev/arad-still-a-canaanite-stronghold-18-sept-2017/feed/0Take Heed; I Have Told You All Things Beforehandhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/take-heed-i-have-told-you-all-things-beforehand/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/take-heed-i-have-told-you-all-things-beforehand/#commentsFri, 08 Sep 2017 19:44:46 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6078Continue reading "Take Heed; I Have Told You All Things Beforehand"]]>The Scriptures are written for us living at the end of the age. That is why they are still relevant to us today – not only as a guide for wisdom unto salvation, and for righteous living, but also as a guide for knowing the will of God: Jesus Christ is going to come back to take back the world that the devil and human beings have usurped for themselves, and He will establish the Kingdom of God (YHVH) forevermore.

All of the prophets of the LORD looked to that day; Yeshua Himself looked to that day; the Lord’s Supper looks to that day; the closest disciples of Messiah asked about that day, both before His crucifixion and after His resurrection before He ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, where He still is.

This is also the vision statement of Yeshua’s Inheritance Congregation: that as many people as possible under our authority and influence would be ready for and have part in the First Resurrection. (Rev 20:4-6) Our mission statement is this: to be Yeshua’s witnesses to bring more people into His kingdom; we are God’s sons and daughters to grow to full maturity in preparation for our Bridegroom’s return. (Mt 28:18-20)

The four apostles’ question at the beginning of Mark 13 is phrased differently in both Matthew 24 and in Luke 21. But Yeshua’s answer to them was essentially the same and with the same sequence of events (chronology). The question had to do with wanting to know when the end of the age would be which restores and establishes the Kingdom of God to Israel, and to know what signs there would be leading up to its fulfillment. Ever since Israel asked for another king, like the Gentiles have, the Kingdom of YHVH has been rejected by the House of Jacob. God intends to restore it! HalleluYah!

Jesus begins His answer by speaking of the second Temple’s destruction, which was prophesied in Dan 9:26. Then He goes on to say, “Take heed that no one deceives (leads astray) you.” We also know from the Lord, and also prophesied in Daniel, that there will be another temple of some sort, which will lead to the revelation of the Antichrist in the middle of the last seven years (Daniel’s 70th week) culminating in the return of the same Lord Jesus Christ who was seen ascending into Heaven. (Acts 1:9-11)

Yeshua says that the enemies want to deceive/lead astray the elect, if possible. The devil, antichrist, and false prophet want believers to turn from the way of truth in Christ, and to have doubt if Jesus Himself will actually return and judge and defeat the forces of evil. But the Lord does not want us to fear, but to trust Him who loves us: He is telling us in advance that these things must and will happen before His return.

Jesus is speaking to His disciples (including to us) about what will be before He comes. In the days after the great tribulation of those days still in the future (v 14-20), there will be celestial signs (Mk 13:24-26; Joel 2:30-32) before the day of God’s vengeance (Is 61:2). The Son of Man will be seen coming in the clouds with great power and glory. The Lord will send His angels (the harvesters – Mt 13:39,49) to gather together His elect wherever they are – dead or alive. Those who are dead in Christ will be resurrected; those who are alive in Christ at His coming will be caught up/raptured. This is the resurrection of the righteous (Dan 12:2); this is the First Resurrection of those who will rule and reign with Yeshua (Rev 20:4-6); this is what Paul wrote about in his two letters to the believers in Thessaloniki (1Thes 4:15-18; 2Thes 2:1-5); this is the resurrection that Paul did all to attain. (Phlp 3:7-16)

If the resurrection/rapture were before all the serious troubles to come – and if the believers would not be here to go through them because of a pre-trib rapture – surely the Lord would have said so in His answer to His disciples and to us about the signs leading up to His coming again.

Then Yeshua gives a “time-reference” to let His followers know when we should pay attention that His return is nearing. In Luke, He wept over Jerusalem for not knowing when He came the first time, because there were enough prophecies in the Tanach (Old Testament), and real proofs right in front of them. (Lk 19:41-42) How much more, then, we should be awakening/revived to anticipate with excitement in our hearts His return to remove Satan from power and to bring righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit to the whole of creation!

Jesus says: Learn this parable from the fig tree (v 28). The figtree which Jesus cursed (in ch. 11) is unbelieving Israel. The figtree here is also unbelieving Israel, but growing again! (Ezek 36:16-28) The reestablishment of the nation and people of Israel in this covenanted land of promise is a huge sign – like Noah’s ark – that summer (קיץ kahyeets) – the end (קץ ketz) – is near. The generation that sees this – we are that generation! – will see the fulfillment of all these things; we will see the return of the Lord! Nearly 70 years have passed since the figtree/Israel is blossoming. Whatever may happen – Heaven and Earth can pass away – but His words will not.

Yeshua then goes on to say that no one except the Father knows the exact time, not even the angels. Believers have taken this statement in both directions: there are those who keep trying to predict the exact time – which leads people astray, since they have always been wrong; and there are those who say no one can know when the Lord is coming – which also leads even believers astray, since they do not understand the times in which they live. There are those who say the resurrection/rapture are imminent, that no signs are needed. This also misleads, since it blinds believers to the obvious signs which Christ gave us to be watchful for; and some of these particular signs are during the period of great tribulation, during the last half of Daniel’s 70th Week. Also there are those who say that these troubles of war, earthquakes, and famines have always been in history; we are just more aware of them now. If that were all that Yeshua was saying, then they are not ‘signs’ of His return. None of these extremes give unbelievers confidence or trust in what believers say to them about prophecy and current events, with Israel a key element of that as a sign pointing to the Lord’s return.

Jesus says, “Take heed, watch, and pray”. The LORD of Armies is coming quickly (Rev 22:20), and in such a manner and at such a moment that even the devil (who is an ‘angel’) will not know or be prepared. He does not want us sleeping, but alert and obeying Him with faith through to the end. Jesus tells us that we should be doing whatever it is that HE has given us — His servants — to do until He returns. He does not say that we will finish what we were given to do, but that we should be found doing it. And He tells all believers to “watch!”.

There are signs; there is hope; He wants our hearts and minds to be ‘calm in the midst of the storm’. (Mt 7:24-27) He has told us everything in advance in His love for us. This is part of the gospel: Jesus is coming again to save His people and to bring the Father’s kingdom to Earth, as it is in Heaven. So we can pray: even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/take-heed-i-have-told-you-all-things-beforehand/feed/1The Church’s Role in The End-Times of The Last Days Towards Israel’s Salvationhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-churchs-role-in-the-end-times-of-the-last-days-towards-israels-salvation/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-churchs-role-in-the-end-times-of-the-last-days-towards-israels-salvation/#commentsSat, 02 Sep 2017 11:39:04 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6065Continue reading "The Church’s Role in The End-Times of The Last Days Towards Israel’s Salvation"]]>Gentile believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have been brought into covenant relationship with the God of Israel, and with Jewish believers in the Son of God. The Church — the Body of Christ/Messiah, the one new man, the Bride of the Lamb — is comprised of both these redeemed and born-again believers called out from every people group and nation. We all have a significant role to play through to the end of the age towards YHVH God’s salvation of His chosen people Israel, by which the whole world and creation will be blessed.

Is 62:6-7 intercession by watchmen until YHVH makes Jerusalem a praise in the Earth

Lk 21:24 Jerusalem trampled underfoot by Gentiles until time of Gentiles fulfilled (has not yet). “Stand With Israel” for GOD’s purposes, which cannot fail!

Is 40:1-5 comfort God’s people (He is speaking to believers); prepare the way of the LORD;
God has not forsaken His people or His covenants; the fig tree is blossoming again, but still lacks fruit for GOD; the mouth of YHVH has spoken

Dan 11:32-35; 12:10; Eph 5:27 be strong, do exploits, instruct many, be refined, purified, made white; the Bride of the Lamb will be glorious, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish

Mt 25:34-40; Rev 19:8 show mercy to least of Jesus’ brethren (although this applies to the sheep nations, the Righteous Gentiles, but should be expected of born-again believers); risking one’s life to provide food, water, shelter, clothing, medical attention; the Bride clothed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints

We will be tested, proving our faith in the fear of YHVH, like Abraham was (we are sons of Abraham in the faith).
–love the Lord above all; love one another as Jesus has loved us; love others as ourselves; do
not be a betrayer!; guard our hearts; do not seek vengeance; how cold will our love grow?
–love our enemy
–pray for those persecuting us; bless those cursing us
–forgiving anyone and any offense or debt
–do not love our lives, even unto death for Jesus’ and the gospel’s sake
–continue to do good
–assembling together, especially as the day approaches
–endure to the end

–spiritually prepare by loving and trusting Jesus, and loving others as proof
–emotionally and mentally prepare for serious tribulation, to be imprisoned, betrayed, martyred
–prepare to be of practical help
–be watchful and prayerful with living hope of signs which Jesus and His apostles gave us
–let the Holy Spirit help us to respond to such trials and sufferings as a means of witness to the
unsaved (both Jewish and Gentile), and as an encouragement to weak or immature believers
–walk in, and encourage other believers, to walk in the truth and to not give up hope or fall away
–“let go” of the world and its lusts and its opposition to Jesus and the Kingdom of GOD

Mk 11:11-26And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the Temple.So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

(12) And on the next day, they going out of Bethany, He was hungry.(13)And seeing a fig-tree with leaves afar off, He went to it, if perhaps He might find anything on it. And when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season of figs.(14)And Jesus answered and said to it, No one shall eat fruit of you forever. And His disciples heard.

(15)And they came to Jerusalem. And entering into the temple, Jesus began to cast out those who bought and sold in the Temple.And He overthrew the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves.(16)And He would not allow any to carry a vessel through the Temple.(17)And He taught, saying to them, Is it not written, “My house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations?” But you have made it a den of thieves.(18)And the scribes and the chief priests heard. And they sought how they might destroy Him. For they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His doctrine.

(19)And when evening came, He went out of the city.(20)And passing by that morning, they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.(21)And Peter, remembering, said to Him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which You cursed has withered away.

(22)And answering Jesus said to them, Have faith of God.(23)For truly I say to you that whoever shall say to this mountain, Be moved and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he said shall occur, he shall have whatever he said.(24)Therefore I say to you, All things, whatever you ask, praying, believe that you shall receive them, and it will be to you.

(25)And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive it so that also your Father in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses.(26)But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses.

Yeshua has just made His triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the common people acknowledging Him as the Son of David who they believed had come to be the King of Israel.But His time had not yet come for that.He left the city and the Temple, and went to Bethany, probably to the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

We come now to the story about the fig tree that Yeshua cursed.I am sure that all of us have read this and been uncomfortable that He would curse a tree without fruit at a time when it was not the season for fruit.When we do this, it reveals again how our thoughts and ways are not the same as the Lord’s.In our discomfort at His act, we are judging Him for doing what we think is wrong or unfair, does not make sense.

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree for not having fruit before its season?This event occurred probably in April, whereas figs are a summer fruit, the first and best ripening happening around June.The fig tree is used in the Bible as one of the symbols for Israel, and in it are both good and bad figs. (Jer 24:5-10; Hos 9:10; Mk 13:28-31; Lk 13:6-9)Normally the fig tree begins to blossom before its leaves cover them, or there are hold-overs from the previous season.So, in the case of this particular fig tree on the road between Bethany and Jerusalem, it had leaves, and therefore it should also have had some blossoms of fruit before their full growth to maturity. However, Jesus found no fruit on it. In response, He said (cursed; judged) the tree: “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard Him.

Mark then goes on in his account to Yeshua and His disciples arriving in Jerusalem. Yeshua went into the Temple and began to drive out all those who bought and sold in the Temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He also would not allow anyone to carry wares through the Temple. Then He taught, quoting from Isaiah and from Jeremiah the prophets: “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? ‘But you have made it a ‘den of thieves’!”

For this “presumption”, the scribes and chief priests, who heard Him, sought how they might destroy Him (get rid of Him/finish Him off, and His doctrines). They were afraid of Him, because all the people were astonished at Yeshua’s teaching. At this point, Yeshua’s popularity was a protection, but it was only a matter of time before those in power would act anyway, as envy and hatred took control of their spirits. Here we see the beginning of Pharisaic/Talmudic/Rabbinic Judaism’s cursing of Yeshua – both His name and memory (Yeshu).

Then Mark goes back to say that that same morning, on the way up from Bethany to Jerusalem, the disciples and Jesus saw the fig tree that the Messiah had cursed dried up from its roots. This was obviously a result of the Lord’s judgment of the tree, and not a natural drying up of a dying tree, which would have taken much longer. The roots were still there in the ground. God has not finished with Israel! And we are witnesses to that certain hope today, here in Beer Sheva, Israel! (In ch. 13 of Mark, the Lord uses the same symbol of the fig tree again, this time in reference to Israel’s revival in the last days leading up to His return. The curse is still there, the fruit is still not satisfying to God, but redemption and the Redeemer is on the way!)

What do we learn from this fig tree and from the incident on the Temple Mount that Mark records? Yeshua was the central figure in both of them, and His acts greatly disturbed both His disciples in the one, and the religious leaders in the other.

Both acts were judgments from God on the fruitless life and the corrupted religion of His chosen people, whom He had chosen for His glory, and to be His light to the Gentiles, and to be a holy people for His name, and to bear much good fruit from all of His fatherly care for them. (Is 5) Instead they professed to be outwardly ‘good’, especially in comparison to the ‘Gentiles’ (the goyim), while inwardly and outwardly dishonoring their God and His house. In this passage of Jesus taking control over the Temple Mount complex, He calls the house, “My house” (Is 56:7; Jer 7:11), whereas in the account in John, He calls the Temple “My Father’s house”. (Jn 2:16-17; Ps 69:9) He and the Father are one.

The marketplace that the people had set up was on the holy site in the area called the Court of the Gentiles.The buying and selling desecrated it as a place of prayer for non-Jews, as a house of prayer for all nations.The public and merchants were using the Temple area as a ‘short-cut’ to carry their wares to the abused area. Doves were the sacrificial animals for the poor, and the greedy merchants were selling them, probably at high prices.Yeshua had come to preach good news to the poor, who were being oppressed and taken advantage of.

So, too, the fig tree with leaves but without fruit.The tree looked good on the outside, but there was no fruit on the inside.The leaves were a covering for their fruitlessness.Remember when Adam and Eve knew that they had done wrong, and wanted to cover their naked shame, they put fig leaves over their private parts.So, too, this tree, and Israel and the Jewish people – and by extension, the church and Christians (Rev 3:1-6; 14-22)– can look good to the eye of man, but cannot satisfy genuine [spiritual] hunger.Israel is blessing the world in amazing ways today, but good works can be “dead works”, and they do not save unbelievers; or they can be good works of believers, but motivated by wrong motives or done without love. (Heb 6:1; 9:14)Religious life without love, or without intention to honor the name of our Lord, is empty. As a prophetic and priestly nation, the Jewish people are not consciously drawing people to know the one true God.No one can eat from such a tree and be nourished with the life of God. The good works are a ‘fig leaf’, a cover-up for the lack of God’s righteousness and fruit.The God of Israel will not grant His people peace and tranquility as long as they/we continue to seek it, to buy it, apart from Him – apart from Yeshua.

God cannot, and will not, bless fruitlessness in those who are called by His name. (Jn 15:1-12)We cannot satisfy the need in others – whether believers or unbelievers – when our hearts of flesh become hearts of stone again.Praise to our God and Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: He is not finished yet, neither with Israel and the Jewish people, nor with those who profess to believe in the name of Yeshua/Jesus for salvation!Yeshua asked the Father— when He was nailed to the cross – to forgive that very people and nation, for they did not know what they were doing. He still calls His people to repentance, and to bear fruit of that return to HIM.This is especially regarding the state of our hearts towards God, and towards our fellow man. Israel, as represented by the fig tree, is also a sign of the last days that the end of the age is near, and that the Lord is coming again “soon”. (Mk 13:28-31; Mt 24:32-35; Lk 21:29-33)The same cursed fig tree is redemptively revived in the last days!

Yeshua took the opportunity of His disciples’ reaction to the cursed fig tree to teach them about believing prayer, but even more about the necessity and the power of forgiveness. (Mt 6:9-15)The Messiah, when He taught His disciples how to pray, told them and us that we must forgive others if we want our Father in Heaven to forgive us.To the measure that we forgive others, He will forgive us.Also in this passage from Mark, He says the same thing.We can pray with all faith to have God do miraculous things in our lives or for others – including the restoration and salvation of Israel –­ but if we are not forgiving someone – not loving Jesus above all, and others as ourselves — for what we think or know that he/she/they have done to me, I will have no peace with God my Father, and He will not be pleased with me, His son through Messiah. (It is very interesting that in the matter of divorce, which YHVH hates, Yeshua gave one exception for allowing it: adultery. But in the matter of forgiveness, there is no exception. A very challenging commandment and commitment!)

Brokenness – knowing how much we have been forgiven – produces the Holy Spirit fruit of love (God’s measure of love) towards others, especially towards those we think do not deserve it.

What then can we learn from this passage in the plan of God to redeem His people?

–The fruitless fig tree and the corrupted religious worship and ministry are indicative of the spiritual state of the Chosen People:there would be no more [godly] fruit from that again!Only when Israel repents and sees Jesus whom they pierced will that finally produce the broken heart and contrite spirit needed to produce fruit for YHVH their God. (Zech 12:10-14; Ps 51)

–This is also true of believers in Yeshua – of those who say we believe and follow Him.Some of us have let our own spirits push away the Holy Spirit, and we have let our new heart of flesh become like stone again. We then become hypocritical like the Pharisees:demanding of others what we ourselves will not do, nor help them to do.We separate ourselves in self-righteousness (which is the meaning of Pharisee), and do not love the brothers and sisters, and can oppress the poor.We look good on the outside – the leaves – but inside we are in rebellion against our holy and gracious Father and Savior.

–The Lord’s acts in this passage should put the fear of God in us, whom He has chosen to be the Lamb’s beloved Bride, obeying His commandments with thanksgiving, and loving one another as He has loved us.

Yeshua is our Judge and our Savior.Thank -you, God!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/yeshua-is-judge-and-savior/feed/0YHVH God Will Not Be Thwarted! – 9 July 2017https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/yhvh-god-will-not-be-thwarted-9-july-2017/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/yhvh-god-will-not-be-thwarted-9-july-2017/#commentsSun, 09 Jul 2017 18:02:45 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=6030Continue reading "YHVH God Will Not Be Thwarted! – 9 July 2017"]]>Recently, the verses at the end of Jeremiah ch 31 and 33 came to me in a new way. Those verses speak of YHVH having control of the solar system and of the universe, and that as long as He does, Israel will remain His people and His covenants with David and with Levi will be fully kept. Usually these verses are used by believers in God’s faithfulness and power to fulfill His covenant promises and to emphasize that Israel has not been replaced by another people. BUT, SHOULD GOD LOSE CONTROL OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND THE UNIVERSE, WHAT BECOMES OF ENGLAND, OR THE U.S., OR TO THE ARAB NATIONS, OR EVERY OTHER CREATED THING?! The LORD has bound up EVERYTHING in His promises to His chosen people. It is not about Israel only; and it all about Israel. No one has anything unless Israel gets hers; no one can live should the Lord ever lose control of His created system and order. Israel is God’s surety of life, and as is written in Rom 11, the return and salvation of the Jewish people/Israel back to YHVH their God [through repentance and faith in Yeshua following Jacob’s Trouble/Great Tribulation] will be life from the dead for the world!

As the world continues to show its irrational opposition to Israel, as witnessed once again by UNESCO voting that a historically and religiously important site to the Jewish people and to Israel long before Islam and Christianity came forth belongs to the Palestinian Muslim heritage, the prophetic Word of God continues towards fulfillment. This time, UNESCO and the Muslims say that the burial place in Hebron, which Abraham purchased at full price in order to bury Sara (Gen 23), and where also Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah are buried — the fathers and mothers (including Rachel) of the people of Israel — is actually a Muslim holy site! God will judge the nations for their refusal to accept His sovereign choice of Isaac and of Jacob and of Jerusalem in the Land of Canaan, as He will also continue to press His own chosen people Israel over their refusal to accept His Son, Yeshua, as the Lord and Messiah. PRAY FOR ALL THESE THINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND THE LORD YESHUA THE MESSIAH/JESUS CHRIST. HIS NAME WILL BE SANCTIFIED AND GLORIFIED!

I was saved when I finally realized that my hope for a better world was going to be the Lord Jesus Christ coming back to make this world right, according to the prophetic Word of God that He has given us in the Bible. When I repented and believed the good news, I got much more than I had expected or even thought of: forgiveness of my sins, baptism of the Holy Spirit, eternal life with the Lord in a new creation that will be perfect, far better even than the Millennial Kingdom after Jesus returns!

I remember that when we were first saved, much of the expectation then (1981) was that Jesus could come back in 1988, which meant that the rapture could happen any time very soon in 1981. This was the blessed hope. Randi and I went to a church service not long after in another state, and the pastor that day said that the rapture, our blessed hope, could happen any time very soon, and that the Christians would escape the terrible things that were going to come on the Earth. But every time that I read the Bible about these things, I was not as sure as these pastors and teachers were about the timing or the purpose of the rapture. Also, I thought, Christians had not done any better than the Jews had with respect to living in a manner that honored the name of the LORD. I heard another well-known teacher, who recently spoke at a conference in another country, say that the blessed hope of Christians was not dying; i.e., being raptured when Jesus comes for His bride. This expectation was, and is, believed and taught by both Jewish and Gentile believers.

My thoughts always took me to consider all the thousands, millions, billions of believers who have already died over the last almost 2000 years. According to all of these teachers and teachings, they all missed the blessed hope! They simply were not living at the right time! Yet the Scriptures give this blessed hope to all believers, not only to those who might still be alive when the Lord returns, when He calls, firstly, for those dead in Christ, and also to those alive in Him to gather together unto Him. (Ps 50:4-5; 2Thes 2:1-5) In fact, the catching up of those alive at His coming was a “new thing” that would not have been thought of before the revelation given to the apostle Paul: whether dead or alive, all who have hoped in YHVH’s Messiah for salvation will be in the new body with Him at that moment which the Father has appointed! (Gen 3:15; Mt 24:36; Rom 8:18-25; 1Cor 15:50-58) Have you noticed that after the mark of the beast has been taken to the doom of all who do so, the apostle John is told by a voice from Heaven: “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ Yes, says the Spirit, that they rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’” (Rev 14:13) As much as we might like not to die, God is saying that those who do die in the Lord even during the time of great tribulation are blessed! For they will be resurrected to eternal life in the body. The gates of Sheol/Hades – death — can not prevail against the Church! In any case, it does seem that the Holy Spirit is awakening the Body of Messiah to the coming again of the Lord. Many still seem to be sleeping, or, having awakened, they still seem unprepared or indifferent to it. This is what the parable of the ten virgins teaches us. As often as we fellowship in the Lord’s Supper, we remember the Lord’s death until He comes. (1Cor 11:25-27)

An argument used to support an “imminent” – any time, whether very soon or very distant – rapture are the verses and expectations of the apostles in their letters to believers that the Lord was “at the door”, “at hand”, “approaching”, “coming quickly” (which is not the same as ‘coming soon’). Paul, in his first epistle to the believers in Thessaloniki, wrote to them of the Lord’s coming and the catching up of those believers who would be alive at His coming. Paul even wrote as if he himself might be alive at that time. Yet in his second letter to them, he clarified what had apparently been misunderstood: that this would not happen until the falling away (apostacy) and the revelation of the antichrist. This does not occur until midway through the last seven years of this age (the 70th week of Daniel). It could perhaps be said that from that midway point the Lord’s return will be imminent. But even then, maybe not: remember that those who are alive in Messiah meet in the air those who are being resurrected on the way up, and in these verses from Revelation regarding the opening of the fifth seal, the Lord is letting us know that there are going to be a certain number of martyrs before His vengeance is poured out. (Rev 6:9-11) Both Paul and Peter came to know that they were going to die, and they did not say, ‘unless the Lord should come between now and then’. The return of the Jewish people back to the land of promise was and is a big sign of the last days that needed to occur before these other events can play out. The Holy Spirit gave the early believers an earnest expectation that their blessed hope would truly be in God and the fulfillment of His plan of redemption. But beyond them, the Scriptures are written for us living at the end of the age, and so this expectation is being quickened in our generation to a level not known for most of the last 2000 years. (1Cor 10:11)

The Word of God promises to those in Christ that we are delivered from God’s wrath, the Day of YHVH. (Is 61:2b) Jacob’s Trouble/the Great Tribulation is essentially Satan’s wrath being unleashed on especially Jews and Christians, whom he especially hates, since both are connected with Yehovah God and His Son in covenant relationship, even if individuals among them do not believe. God’s wrath is against His enemies, and of His people, both Jews and Christians. Some of His enemies can include individual Jews and Christians who have forsaken the covenants He has “cut” with them. God’s wrath will be seen to be His righteous judgment against those who are clearly opposed to Him. Those who hold to a pre-tribulation rapture as the blessed hope have had to redefine the whole of “Daniel’s 70th Week” — the last seven years before the coming again of the Lord — as God’s wrath/ the Day of the LORD, in order to justify their particular position, but which is also the eschatological view of all believers: we will not suffer the wrath of God. This is good news! And the Holy Spirit will enable us to help others understand what is going on, and purify us to be the spotless and chaste Bride of our glorious Bridegroom! This is also good news! (Mt 3:11-12; Dan 11:31-35; Eph 5:25-27; 1Jn 3:1-3)

Let’s look at some verses that express the promise of God which gives the confident hope that has sustained the faithful throughout the ages of mankind:

Tit 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world, (13) looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a special people, zealous of good works.

Act 23:6 But when Paul saw that the one part were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead’.

Act 24:14-16 But I confess this to you, that after the Way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets. (15) And I have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (16) And in this I exercise myself, always to have a blameless conscience toward God and men.

Job 19:25-27 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall rise on the Earth at the last; (26) and even after my skin is corrupted, yet this: in my flesh I shall see God, (27) whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not a stranger’s; my heart yearns within me!

Heb 11:17-19By faith Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. And he who had received the promises offered up his only-begotten son, (18) of whom it was said that in Isaac your seed shall be called, (19) concluding thatGod was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from where he even received him, in a figure.

Jn 11:23-27 Jesus said to her, Your brother shall rise again. (24) Martha said to Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (25) Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he die, yet he shall live. (26) And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? (27) She said to Him, Yes, Lord, I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.

Dan 12:1-2 And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation; until that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (2) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Act 26:6-8 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made to our fathers by God, (7) to which promise our twelve tribes hope to attain, serving God fervently night and day. For the sake of this hope, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. (8) Why is it thought a thing incredible with you that God raises the dead?

Rom 8:18-25 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

1Co 15:16-20 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ is not raised. (17) And if Christ is not raised, your faith is foolish; you are yet in your sins. (18) Then also those that fell asleep in Christ were lost. (19) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (20) But now Christ has risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruit of those who slept.

Php 3:7-12 But whatever things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ (9) and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith, (10) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death; (11) if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the [righteous] dead. (12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Rev 20:6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.

Our blessed hope as believers in Yeshua/Jesus is the same as that given to the Fathers and the Children of Israel, and which was believed by men and women of faith in the Word and promise of God before them: it is the resurrection of the dead in Messiah/Christ, and the rapture of the living in Christ/Messiah at His revelation, at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in great power and glory, and sin will trouble us no more: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the Earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/looking-for-the-blessed-hope/feed/0Jerusalem Dayhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/jerusalem-day/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/jerusalem-day/#respondSun, 21 May 2017 10:29:07 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5990Continue reading "Jerusalem Day"]]>It has been 50 years (May 24 this year according to the Hebrew calendar) since Israel captured Jerusalem in the Six-Day War in June, 1967. It is clear now for many years already that this did not bring the “times of the Gentiles” to fulfillment. (Lk 21:24) Jerusalem is still being trampled under foot by the Gentile powers, and East Jerusalem — the Biblical Jerusalem, where the Old City and Temple Mount are located — is still being offered as the capital of some potential Palestinian state. Jerusalem’s peace will only come with the return of the rightful Heir to the throne of David. Until then, there is still much unrest and trouble. Keep Jerusalem in your hearts and prayers, for the sake of the name of the Lord, who has chosen that city as His — the city of the great King! For now, she has the spirit of Sodom and Egypt (Rev 11:8), and awaits her full redemption.

President Trump is scheduled to arrive tomorrow for a brief and historic visit. He wants to make peace between the three major religions. Such attempts should be wake-up bells for real believers in Jesus that we are nearing some extremely significant ‘signs of the times’, and cause us to increase our alertness in watching and praying as we carry on our Lord’s business. The religious and political kingdoms of this world are opposed to the Kingdom of God, which is not of this world (Ps 2; Jn 18:36) — but the Day is nearing when it will come! Praise the Lord!!

Mk 8:27-38And Jesus and His disciples went out into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And in the way He asked His disciples, saying to them, Who do men say that I am?(28)And they answered, John the Baptist. But others say Elijah, and others say one of the prophets.(29)And He said to them, But who do you say that I am? And Peter answered and said to Him, You are the Messiah.(30)And He charged them that they should tell no one of Him.(31)And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.(32)And He spoke that saying openly. And Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him.(33)But when He had turned around and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Go behind Me, Satan! For you do not mind the things of God, but of the things of men.(34)And calling near the crowd with His disciples, He said to them, Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.(35)For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, he shall save it.(36)For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?(37)Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?(38)Therefore whoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man shall also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

Just before this passage, Yeshua had seemingly experienced some failure in the healing of a blind man. The first act of giving the man sight resulted in him only seeing without clarity.The second time Yeshua put His hands on the man’s eyes resulted in him receiving full sight.This scene was not only a physical reality — a blind man was healed — but also a parable and a prophecy:even the disciples of the Lord were not seeing clearly who Jesus really was; and the Messiah is still at work to bring His identity into sharp focus for all – believer and unbeliever alike.

Up till now, Yeshua had performed many miracles and healings and signs among the people, yet His closest disciples still seemed to be uncertain who it was that they were walking with.Yeshua is now going to bring them to a ‘valley of decision’ – a moment of truth to choose to recognize and to accept, or to reject:a decision that determines destiny. (עמק החרוץJoel 3:14)

Yeshua asked His disciples, “Who do the people say that I am?”The answers were very interesting: Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptiser, one of the other prophets. (Mk 6:14-15;Mt 16:13-18)Did the apostles and the Jewish people believe in reincarnation!? (see Jn 9:1-2) But then Jesus said to them:“But you, who do you say that I am?” And Peter, always ready, answered, “You are the Messiah, [the Son of the living God].”Then Yeshua strictly charged the disciples not to tell anyone about Him!They still did not know what it meant that He was the Messiah.They were still not seeing clearly or understanding; but they knew now that He is the one of whom Moses and the Prophets wrote.The Son of God did not come to become famous or popular.Again we see that God’s ways are not like those of men or women who think more highly of themselves than is suitable. (Rom 12:2-3)In Matthew’s gospel, he adds that Yeshua told Simon Peter that his confession of the revelation of who Yeshua is did not come from flesh and blood, but from Yeshua’s Father in Heaven; that is, from God.This is the foundation upon which the Lord builds His household of faith, against which not even death can overcome the believers. (Mt 16:16-18; 1Jn 2:20-25)

Yeshua began to teach the apostles the truth about what it meant that He was Messiah. In Jewish teaching and expectation at that time, there were those who thought that the Messiah would come as a conquering King, the son of David. Others taught that the Messiah would come — not necessarily from David’s line (1Kg 12:16) — and overthrow the Roman enemy and occupiers, freeing Israel and the Jewish people from foreign domination to be a free people in their own land. The mystery of the cross and of the gospel was hidden from them, and now Yeshua had come — the truth, the life, and the way. Yeshua told them that being the Messiah meant, firstly, that He was going to “suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again”. All of their prior understanding of the Messiah had been false or distorted. This is what gives rise to false Messiahs/Christs – being deceived about the truth of the Messiah/Christ being Yeshua/Jesus.

(Tonight is Lag B’Omer – the 33rd day of the counting of the sheaves of wheat between the Passover week and Shavuot/Pentecost. This day is a celebration of a false prophet and of a false Messiah. Rabbi Akiva claimed that Bar-Kochba was the Messiah, who was going to defeat the Romans and regain the holy city of Jerusalem. Yet the rabbi – who was burned at the stake — is still considered one of the sages of Judaism, and everyone knows now that Bar-Kochba was not the Messiah. Orthodox Judaism even forbids marriages during this period until after this truly pagan fire holiday!)

We know that these closest disciples never did “hear” the words, “and after three days rise again”, because until they actually saw Jesus after His resurrection, they had believed that His death brought an end to their hope that He was, in fact, the Redeemer. (Mt 28:17; Mk 16:11-14; Lk 24:13-32;Jn 20:24-25)

Peter, who had just been blessed for confessing the revelation from God the Father, was now speaking on behalf of Satan when he rebuked Yeshua, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Mt 16:22) Yeshua then rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men”. The devil was quick at work to try to steal the Word which Yeshua had sown into the heart of His dear followers. (Mk 4:14-15) It was God’s plan and good pleasure that His Son would be the sacrifice to atone for the sins of every man, woman, and child. (Is 53:10-12)

Jesus then spoke to all of the people there, with his disciples, and told them all what it would mean for all who confess in faith and become followers of Yeshua the Nazarene (not, the Nazirite); and He connects it with His second coming: we will have to deny ourselves and pick up our own crosses to follow Him; we will have to be willing to die for Him and for the gospel; the whole world is not the value of even one soul; we must not be ashamed or embarrassed about Jesus or of His words. (Lk 9:26; Rev 3:8) Remember that even many of His disciples had been offended and embarrassed by His hard sayings regarding eating His flesh and drinking His blood. (Jn 6:53-69) In today’s post-modern and post-Christian world, the Bible – God’s Word – is under attack; the exclusivity of Jesus being the only way to God the Father is attacked; the truth that God remains faithful and committed to His covenant promises to Israel is attacked; the truth that homosexuality is still a sin is under attack. Believers are to stand with the Lord and His words in this “adulterous and sinful generation”.

What are some lessons for us in knowing who Yeshua is?:
–Before we became believers we did not understand what it means for someone to be the Messiah, especially that Jesus is the Messiah. He is not the Messiah that we expected. That being so, we bore false testimony against Him, simply by denying that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. (Ex 20:16; Dt 5:20)

–Yeshua told Peter that his clear acknowledgement of Him being the Messiah was a revelation from the Father. It was not something that was being taught; it was not something that could be simply intellectually figured out. The demons and the devil already knew who Yeshua was; they were not deceived like people are.

Each person needs this revelation of who Yeshua is. It is not enough to grow up hearing about Him, or even being taught. If that were all that was needed, then every person who has been brought up in a Christian or Messianic home or society would know that the Messiah/Christ is Yeshua/Jesus. But they do not. It requires a revelation from the Father. If any of you here do not yet see clearly who Jesus is, ask the Father to reveal Him to you. Ask the Lord to heal your spiritual blindness. It is essential if you are going to be capable of truly being His disciple and not ashamed of Him or His words. This gives confidence when He will come in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

–There is unity among the believers who have this revelation. All of the apostles were brought to that point of certainty regarding who Yeshua was/is. Even Thomas; even Judas Ishcariot. Whatever each of the apostles and the people had understood before that ‘valley of decision’, the Good Shepherd was going on from there. They were going on together from there with the Lord breaking through before them. If they were to begin arguing or discussing things as they had previously understood them, the Lord was going on from there. He was not going back. This unified the disciples. It still did not guarantee covenant faithfulness to Yeshua or to His way. Sin is a dreadfully strong slave master!

It is my conviction that the Body of Messiah is in need of another such revelation from the Father that is going to bring unity to the disciples of Yeshua at this time. There are many differing and opposing interpretations of what is going on in these last days, and of Israel’s part, of believers in Jesus’ part, and of the abiding truth of the Word of YHVH God. Just as the truth of Messiah was written in the Scriptures – but not understood – so, too, is the truth of where God is now in His plan of redemption also written in the Old and the New Testaments – but divisively not agreed upon. We need a common, corporate, Holy Spirit revelatory moment to bring us together in His truth and love to enable us to do effectively what the Lord has called us to for His glory and purpose. There will still be Thomases and Judases among us (Lord, have mercy on me!), but the power needed to stand as one in this adulterous and sinful generation until the Day of Messiah necessitates such a revelation. Let us love one another in the hope we have in our God. And let us stand in the truth that we do know: Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of God. Yeshua is LORD, to the glory of God the Father!

We were blind, but now we see. Praise God!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/who-is-yeshua/feed/0Israel — Of God, or Not of God?https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/israel-of-god-or-not-of-god/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/israel-of-god-or-not-of-god/#commentsFri, 28 Apr 2017 13:49:08 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5949Continue reading "Israel — Of God, or Not of God?"]]>Israel celebrates her 69th Day of Independence this Monday and Tuesday. Most of Israel’s Arab population knows it as their Day of Catastrophe (nakba). Neither one yet fears YHVH. The one, true, living God of Heaven and Earth is fulfilling His Word and plan for His holy name’s sake, and against all opposition to Him — including unbelief. He cannot, and will not, be stopped! Praise be to His name!

The Israeli Jewish people celebrate their military strength and prowess; the Arab Palestinian people refuse to accept that the land was covenanted to Jacob for an everlasting possession, yet to be realized. The Holy Spirit is working to turn away ungodliness from Jacob so that all Israel (the full remnant from all the tribes) will be saved. The Arabs hope is to be found in Israel’s hope: Yeshua/Yasua/Jesus, the Lord and Messiah, Son of David.

Israel’s leadership and people feel that the lesson of the Holocaust is that the Jewish people must protect themselves by themselves. The Arab world feel that the lesson of the Holocaust is unjust and not fair. Neither fear the LORD.

Most of the Jewish people are relying on “a god of fortresses” — self-determined that they must be masters of their own destiny — rather than trust in the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, who alone can guarantee them life that is really life. Most of the Arab peoples are relying on a god of vengeance, nurtured by a bitter root and an ancient hatred towards their brothers and cousins. Neither line of Abraham’s family fears the God of their father in truth.

The Jewish people have only recently celebrated the Passover, glorying in their deliverance by YHVH from Egyptian slavery. On the heels of that joyful celebration and hope, we solemnly and gravely remembered the worst calamity yet to come upon our people — the Holocaust. The night preceding Independence Day we again remember all those Jewish people [in particular] who have sacrificed their lives in the many wars and conflicts connected with being a sovereign people in our own land. There is the constant reminder to abide in the faith, for through much suffering and tribulation we enter the Kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22) Yet our people still have not repented and believed the gospel, confessing their unfaithfulness to our God, that they would know their sins are forgiven through the sacrifice and shed blood of Yeshua, whom God raised from the dead. (Lev 26:40-45) For the Father was well-pleased with His beloved Son!

For us who have received our peace with God through saving faith in His Son, our Savior, our battle is not waged against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies. Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah.

Today’s Israel is a miracle/banner (nes) for the nations/Gentiles. God has intervened in history again to repossess HIS land for His people. The return of the Jewish people back to the land of promise is a proof that YHVH is the true God. It is a huge sign of the end-times of the last days — not unlike the ark in Noah’s days. Against all odds, the LORD is doing a greater thing than what He did to bring us out of Egypt, or out of Babylon. (Is 11:12; Jer 16:14-15; 23:7-8). Jacob’s Trouble is coming, but Israel will be saved out of it. (Jer 30:7) The Lord’s return cannot be far behind! Even so, Come, Lord Jesus! Then Jerusalem will have God’s peace.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/israel-of-god-or-not-of-god/feed/9The Holocaust and Knowing Godhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/the-holocaust-and-knowing-god-2/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/the-holocaust-and-knowing-god-2/#respondFri, 21 Apr 2017 11:17:41 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5940Continue reading "The Holocaust and Knowing God"]]>Is 5:11-16, 21-24Israel does not regard the activity of YHVH or the works of His hands.God’s people in captivity [physical and spiritual] because of lack of knowledge.YHVH of Hosts will be exalted in judgment, hallowed in righteousness.God’s people have rejected Law of YHVH of Hosts and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel.

Tomorrow night begins Holocaust Remembrance Day, the remembrance of the worst calamity so far upon the Jewish people/the children of Jacob in our history.The subject of the Holocaust always brings with it many questions:Where was God, whom Jews and Christians claim is everywhere, all-powerful, and all-knowing?Why did our God not intervene to stop or even prevent such unspeakable horror and sufferings and acts of wickedness?If Messiah has come, as Christians say, and He has not forsaken His covenanted people, how could so many – including children, nursing mothers, religious Jews – be killed?How could this happen in a “Christian” nation — Germany?What kind of God is this who could see and allow such a thing?Answers are not so easily offered.

Jewish persons and the people of Israel are witnesses of YHVH God, who created and chose us. (Is 43:10)We are witnesses of who He is, and we are witnesses of what man is. (1Cor 10:6-11)The lesson of Scripture is that a nation collectively, and individuals personally, are responsible before God for their own sin and consequent judgment, and for their own righteousness and consequent justification.(Ezek 18; Joel 2:32)The same God who made His Son Jesus a whole burnt offering for sin to die for our transgressions is the same God who brought a destruction upon His chosen people — whom He has called as a nation His first-born son — in judgment for our continuing unbelief and sin, in accord with the testimony of God’s covenants and written Word. Our God is a Jealous God, who knows what is wise and good!

YHVH is a God of covenant, and He is faithful.He does not change.The God of the Tenach (O.T.) is the same as the God of the N.T.The God of Israel is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.We all believe—I think—that the words and teaching of Jesus recorded in Mt 24, Mk 13, Lk 21, Rev refer in large part to events still to take place – regarding Israel, the nations, and the Church – and that these things are not far off now.What is spoken of in these places is something not yet experienced in human history, and the only deliverance can come from God Himself:the God who has prophesied judgments is the God who promises deliverance and mercy to those who turn to Him for salvation.

When speaking about the Holocaust and its lessons, God is usually left out as being active in it.It is always good and edifying to read stories like Corrie Ten Boom’s, because we see the works and ways of God in mercies towards innocent victims, and towards those who repent of their sins.But even a Corrie Ten Boom needed to learn the ways of God in Messiah:to forgive those who did such despicable things, not only to Jews, but also to her own Dutch family who tried to save Jews from being sent to Germany.We Jews, who know that our own sins – both personal and as part of a nation – are forgiven, can offer comfort to Germans, especially to those who have saving faith in Jesus, to free them from a lingering sense of guilt and shame over their sins and those of their nation.

When we leave God out of the discussion as to what happened and why, it is further proof that we do not regard His Law, or His Word, or His acts and righteous judgments, the very things by which He can and will be known and sanctified!Those who would deny that God could allow such a thing become those who deny that He can send sinners, who refuse His terms of salvation, to hell forever.The passage we read from Isaiah is consistent with the Words of YHVH through Moses in chapters like Lev 26; Dt 28; 32.

Read them to know better the great God whom we serve and in whom we have entrusted our souls for life.

It is evident that Holocaust museums, education on racism and antisemitism will not be enough to prevent what is cried aloud, “Never again!”The same living Word of God written thousands of years ago still abides.Judgments against sin and sinners come from the Holy and Righteous Judge of the whole Earth, firstly against those of His own people who refuse to walk in His ways and so receive all His benefits.

Even today, when the gospel is going out in Israel and believers in Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah and Lord are greater in number than ever before, our religious and political leaders still oppose the truth of God our Father in Heaven.The government is making its own plans for peace and security, refusing God’s, which is the only one which will succeed.The believers in Arad are suffering threats and curses from those who claim to know God, just as happened in the days of Jesus and the apostles.

How can we know God’s grace and mercy?:Through His judgments, just as Adam and Eve; just as we who know the reason why Jesus came to die on the cross; just as Israel and the nations will learn as God brings every knee to bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD (YHVH).It is at the cross that we know God—both in His righteous judgment against all sin and sinners, and in His mercy and love for anyone who repents and believes in their heart that He is just in all His ways.

Jn 3:16-19For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

If we love our people, if we love the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, we will bring the truth of God and His Word to them, that the Holy Spirit would convict them of their sin of unbelief, so that they might seek God for His mercy to forgive.As we remember the Holocaust, let us remember, too, the honor of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ whom He sent.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/the-holocaust-and-knowing-god-2/feed/0The Holocaust and The Salvation of Israel: “Be Reconciled to God”https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/the-holocaust-and-the-salvation-of-israel-be-reconciled-to-god/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/the-holocaust-and-the-salvation-of-israel-be-reconciled-to-god/#commentsTue, 18 Apr 2017 08:50:03 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5932Continue reading "The Holocaust and The Salvation of Israel: “Be Reconciled to God”"]]>Lev. 26: 40-45– Israel and Jewish people confessing personal and historic collective guilt for breaking the LORD’s covenants

There is a biblical principle whereby God holds the heads of a people accountable for the blessing or punishment of the people.We see this with Pharaoh and the Egyptians with respect to the children of Israel at the time of the Passover and Exodus from Egypt.We see it again with King David and his census of Israel, bringing the LORD’s judgment upon the people and the near destruction of Jerusalem (2Sam. 24).

The rulers of the people — whether kings or priests — represent the people before God, and by their example of faith and obedience — or the contrary — the nation is led.Today, does not a nation of people go to war or make peace based upon the determinations of their leader(s)?Are not nations judged in the eyes of others by their thoughts regarding the heads of government or of the religious authorities?Do not Jews today insist that Germans living today confess their nation’s and their parents’ guilt for the Holocaust — that Germans and Germany are primarily responsible and guilty because of their evil leader who governed and represented them?; or to put it another way, in Hitler, the Germans living today — whether or not they were personally and directly involved — are reckoned as guilty and defiled by the Jewish people, even more than are Austrians and Poles who also bear their own iniquity.

Other Biblical examples of this living principle of divine justice covering generations for nations, tribes, andpeoples are:1.in Adam, all have sinned and all human beings inherit condemnation and death;

3.in the Passover, Jews remember that we were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD brought us out;

4.in Messiah, many are justified and made alive, inheriting righteousness and life.

There are bothpower in, and accountability for, our words which we speak or write, all the more so if we are in positions of authority (Mt. 12:36-37).

John 11:45-53– Caiaphas the High Priest unknowingly prophesied that the one man Yeshua would die for the whole nation, and even for all the scattered children of God.

Mt. 27:25 – “all the people [of Israel] answered and said, ‘Let His [Yeshua’s] blood be on us and on our children’!

Primary responsibility, with its guilt and historic consequences, is upon the leaders and people of Israel (John 19:11; Lev. 4:1-3, 13, 14, 22, 23; Acts 2; 4; 1Cor 2:7-8;Lk 23:34) — both before God and by our own words and agreement with our “fathers” — for the betrayal and death of Messiah.Praise God that upon the cross, Yeshua/Jesus prayed that God His Father forgive us! They did not know what they were doing; and neither did we until we repented and believed the truth of who Yeshua/Jesus is.

YEHOVAH is the God of covenant, to which He is always faithful to fulfill His part, which includes Hispromises to make the people of Israel a holy people for Himself.Therefore He is working to remove from His people transgressions, sin, iniquity, and uncleanness — guilt and shame – – and to bring in everlasting righteousness.The Holy Spirit is working to bring His people to an end of themselves, to stop trusting in themselves or in the arm of the flesh, so that they will call on the Name of Yeshua for salvation:Blessed is He who comes in the Name YEHOVAH!It is Yeshua whom God has given as a guilt offering (Is. 53:10), and His blood cleanses from all unrighteousness.

The Holocaust brings reproach to the Holy Name of the God of Israel and of the Lord Jesus Christ:–“These are the people chosen by God?!”

–“Where was/is God?”

–“There is no God!”

–“How can a ‘good’ God allow such atrocities?”

–“Maybe God is not strong enough to stop evil?!”

–“God has forsaken and cast away the Jews!”

Remember Messianic brothers and sisters, Yeshua died a criminal’s death because of — and to take away — that evil unbelief and rebellion, the sin of the world!

Do we trust and love our God and Savior to honor His holy name in the face of such unbelief and mocking?Many Christians risked, and even sacrificed their lives to save Jews from the death trains and camps.In the unknowable ways of God, just as the crucifixion was necessary, so too was the Holocaust.God’s judgments are past finding out!

As many as are Jewish believers, we need to accept the truth of our primary responsibility for our history.Let Gentile believers each examine and judge himself for their own personal and historic sins of your nations and churches against the Sovereign LORD and against the Jews and Christians.Offenses there must necessarily be, but woe to those through whom they come!

The Lord Jesus says that the truth sets free and sanctifies.Confession of our own and of our fathers’ sins is an act of humility, and it brings cleansing, freedom, blessedness — because by it we receive and know the righteousness of God who forgives us and accepts us.

The Lord promises to save His people from their sins.The true gospel includes the cross of the Messiah and God’s righteous judgments against Israel, not to the exclusion of the other nations.As has been spoken before, there is no glory for the Jewish people (or for any nominal Christian) apart from the faith in the death and resurrection of Yeshua, the Hope of Israel.Let us who believe be sure of our own peace with God and acceptance of His ways and judgments so that we can speak the truth with love to the Jewish people, and to others.

2Cor. 5:11a, 18-21– in the fear of God, be reconciled to Him and be ministers of reconciliation

Amen.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/the-holocaust-and-the-salvation-of-israel-be-reconciled-to-god/feed/2Passover to Resurrectionhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/passover-to-resurrection/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/passover-to-resurrection/#respondSat, 15 Apr 2017 14:13:02 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5911Continue reading "Passover to Resurrection"]]>Mt 26:17-29And on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, Where do You desire that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?(18)And He said, Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, The Master said, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.(19)And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them. And they made the Passover ready.(20)And when evening had come, He sat down with the Twelve.(21)And as they ate, He said, Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.(22)And grieving sorrowfully, they began to say, each one of them, Lord, not I am the one?(23)And He answered and said, He who dips his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me.(24)The Son of Man goes, as it has been written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.(25)And answering, the one betraying Him, Judas, said, Master, Not am I the one? He said to him, You said it.(26)And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is My body.(27)And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink all of it.(28)For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.(29)But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.

Mt 28:1-9But after the Sabbath, at the dawning into the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.(2)And behold, a great earthquake occurred! For coming down from Heaven, an angel of the Lord came and rolled back the stone from the door and was sitting on it.(3)His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.(4)And the keepers shook for fear of him and became like dead men.(5)And the angel answered and said to the women, Do not fear, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.(6)He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.(7)And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. And, behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see Him. Lo, I have told you.(8)And they quickly departed from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.(9)But as they were going to report to His disciples, behold, Jesus also met them, saying, Hail! And they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.

We have heard how that YHVH God, brought out the children of Israel from Egypt in order to make His name great, and to have Israel be His holy people, and He would be their God.He promised them to inherit the Land of Canaan.However, the people have been unfaithful to the LORD throughout most of their history.BUT, God has been faithful to His covenants and to the conditions and promises of them.Praise the Lord!And we today who have returned to live in this very land are part of His plan of redemption, and proof that the God of Israel is the true God, and God of gods.

In the passage from Mt 26, we see that Yeshua and His closest disciples kept the Passover, with the Messiah establishing a New Covenant with them, and with Israel.It is a covenant in which YHVH promises to forgive the Israeli people all of their sins. (Jer 31:31-37)For this the Savior’s name is Yeshua. (Mt 1:21)He still reaches out to them until today with this same offer of salvation that He began with them.Even among the apostles wasone who was unfaithful to the Lord.Yeshua, at this last supper before His crucifixion as the Passover Lamb born to be the sacrifice to atone for our sins, institutes the Lord’s Supper of remembrance, which we are about to do ourselves.

In the passage from Mt 28, a new day has come – Sonday, the day after the Sabbath (Lev 23:9-12)!It is the day of Firstfruits.A day of rejoicing instead of mourning!Victory over death, the devil, and sin!A new day in which the angels and Yeshua told Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to go tell the others that Yeshua is risen from the dead!He is the firstfruits from among the dead.The harvest time is nearing in our generation.And they went from Jerusalem to meet Him in Galilee, as He had told them beforehand to do, and they ate together.

Now, all who confess with their mouth that Yeshua is Lord, and believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead, will be saved!And with this New Covenant that God offers not only to the Jewish people, but also to all Gentiles, YHVH also confirms that He will keep all of His covenant promises to Israel, including the inheritance of the land, and that they will be His people, and He will be their God. (Rom 15:8-13; 2Cor 1:20-22; Jer 31:33)Yeshua was born King of the Jews; Yeshua was crucified as King of the Jews; Yeshua will come again to be the King of the Jews!Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Let us fellowship together now in remembering the death of the Lord, and His burial and resurrection, until He comes.

As Yeshua continued to prove Himself to be the Messiah and the Son of God, we also see how the opposition to Yeshua strengthened as He became more threatening to the established order.Despite all of the signs and good works and healings that Jesus did, the flesh and the natural mind were warring against the Spirit and the wisdom of God. The will of men was resisting the will of God:without repentance from unbelief to faith, the natural mind can not and will not understand the things of God. (1Cor 2:14)

I saw a blog on the internet by someone who calls himself an atheist and a believer in natural law. He wrote against the Sermon on the Mount!Everything that Jesus strengthened concerning the Law of Moses was, to this man, against natural law; e.g., Jesus saying that hating someone is the same as murdering him;, or that a married man lusting after another woman is the same as adultery; we have to love our enemy. The true God calls His people to holiness – within, and without.

In the passage we have read in Mark, we see that those who have taken upon themselves to control others by their own interpretations, customs, and traditions – all in the name of keeping the Torah – find themselves fighting against the very One who does in truth keep the Law, and is the very one who came to save those who do not! This is the essence of what is called “Replacement Theology”:replacing God’s Word with someone else’s.Some examples are Adam and Eve believing what the serpent said rather than what God Himself had told them; Judaism placing the “Oral Law” – their own interpretations and judgments, now written in the Talmud – as an equal or higher authority over the written Law and interpretations given through the prophets and even the Messiah Himself; Christianity saying that God has finished with Israel and the Jewish people, and that the Church and Christians have replaced them as God’s people, rather than becoming also God’s people along with the Jews and Israel; Islam claiming that God has finished with both Jews, Israel, and Christians, and that now Muslims are the true believers.All of this “replacement theology” results from a lack of the fear of God and not believing in what the true God – YHVH – has actually said. In essence, we place ourselves equal to or above the Father and the Son in determining truth and our choice to obey or not, or to approve or disapprove!

This accusation of Yeshua against His own brothers and people is true not of them only, but of all people.Remember, Israel is given by God as an example to the church (1Cor 10:11) – made up of men and women from every nation and tribe.In this “replacement theology”, Jews are not different than Gentiles, and Gentiles are no different than Jewish people.

In this passage, it is the third time that the religious authorities confronted Jesus and His disciples regarding their non-compliance to keep the traditions and regulations of the ‘Oral Law’.In the first instance (Mk 2:18), they failed to fast as the Pharisees did; in the second (Mk 2:24), they did not keep the Sabbath as the elders taught.To the religious Jews, the Oral Law was also received by Moses from God at Mt. Sinai, and passed on to Joshua and the elders of Israel.By this assumption (which was not true), they gave equal – even more – weight to the traditions of the elders – which Jesus calls the traditions of men – than to the Law of Moses itself, claiming that the Oral Law is what helps a Jew keep the written Law. In other words, the traditions of the elders/of men becomes the halacha, or the way to walk the pious life, and find approval from men. The Pharisees called themselves disciples of Moses (Jn9:28), and Jesus told them that Moses would judge them for not believing in Him and what He said. (Jn 5:44-46)

When the Pharisees challenged Yeshua as to why His disciples did not walk according to the traditions of the elders, Yeshua responded with the Word of God as written in the prophet Isaiah, and in Moses.They were breaking God’s commandments because their hearts were far from the LORD.Yeshua took the first commandment with a promise – intended for children of all ages, even as adults – that children are to honor their fathers and mothers (Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16) – and told them that they were inventing ways to not honor their parents, and giving it religious authority as if it were from God, and as if they honored and loved God more than anyone else, even their own fathers and mothers. But they were actually guilty of cursing their fathers and mothers. (Ex 21:17; Lev 20:9)This can sound very pious, and even like what Jesus Himself teaches: that we must love Him more than all, even more than our own parents. (Mt 10:34-39)Only by really loving the Lord, and paying attention to all that He says – to listen and understand(v. 14) — can we begin to understand how to obey Him in the right Spirit and without contradiction or hypocrisy. By our own traditions, we can become worthy of death under God’s law, all the while justifying ourselves as being righteous!This is a very strong deception!!

With respect to eating food with unwashed hands, the issue that the Pharisees brought up was not really about having clean (i.e., not dirty) hands before eating.They only did a religious ceremony of pouring water on their hands/fists, having little to do with making sure that their hands were clean before eating, but rather, by their custom, making their hands ritually clean and not defiled.Jesus did not accept this at all, principally because their inner heart relationship with God, and with their own mothers and fathers (and towards other people), was not pure.

Jesus said to the multitude of people that were listening that what goes into the mouth does not defile a person, but rather what comes out from the heart.Even the disciples did not understand. (v 15-18)

Now, Jesus took the opportunity to make a huge change in the Law of Moses, with respect to what is acceptable as food.Remember, the LORD told Jeremiah the prophet that the new covenant would not be like the former one given at Mt. Sinai.Being new, there would be some changes and differences.Remember, too, that God’s eternal plan is that Jew and Gentile would become socially equal before God.The whole issue of food is huge socially:­­­­­can Jews and Gentiles – in particular co-believers in Jesus — eat the same food, and together at the same table?

The Law of Moses says that some animals are unclean to eat, and that it is an abomination for Jews to eat them, and that those who eat them become an abomination. (Lev 11:12, 20, 41, 43)YHVH gave these laws and regulations so that Israel would learn to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, for He is holy. (Lev 11:45-47)

But NOW, Yeshua is saying that putting any food in the mouth does not defile a person – does not make him unclean or abominable!What goes into the mouth goes out of the body after nourishing it.But what comes out of the heart of a person can defile him or her. By this word of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, He has made all foods clean (kosher), at least for the believer in what He said and meant. (v.19)Clean animals were already clean; He did not need to make them clean.Therefore it is the unclean foods which He has also declared as clean.To the Jewish people first of all, to whom the Law was given!Yeshua is our peace, and the middle wall of partition He has broken down between Jewish believers and Gentiles.Yeshua is able to send us to serve Him and the gospel among other people groups, and our conscience can be clean regarding the food we may need to eat for the sake of love and of the gospel.

If God can make me clean (and Gentiles, too!), He — the LORD and Messiah — can make unclean food clean that only goes in and out of me, and His word was reinforced by the experience and doctrines of the Apostles. (Mk 7:14-16; Acts 10:9-16; 11:1-10; Rom 14:2-3,14,20; Gal 2:11-14; 1Tim 4:1-5; Heb 13:9)What is OUR character?!Is it like one of the unclean animals and creatures?So we begin to learn in ourselves the difference between that which is acceptable to God and that which is not, sanctifyingourselves, purifying/cleansing our hearts, for our God and Lord and indwelling Spirit is holy and pure, and by faith we both establish the Law and fulfill its righteousness. (Rom 3:31; 8:4) When we speak of what is Biblically kosher regarding foods (including, of course, the man-madetraditional ban on eating meat and dairy together), we must remember that the New Testament is part of the Bible!God is getting to the heart of the matter with us as His holy people and temple.

A Messianic Jew is not obligated to eat pork, for example — or, for that matter, a good kosher angus steak — but will he allow others to do so, or will he judge them for not being ‘good Jews’?Our own cultural and moral biases and sensitivities can keep separate what God has made possible to join together.

So, what do we learn from our passage in Mark:one lesson concerns external rituals. If people participate in congregational/synagogue/church services and follow all the rituals perfectly, they may have a heart after God’s, but may not. Unbelievers and nominal believers can have the appearance of being devout, but if there is not faith then their ritual will not help in worshiping God in spirit and truth. It is more important for people to get their hearts right with God than to ‘go through the motions’.

A second lesson is that there is a real danger in replacing the the word of God (the letter and the spirit of it) with our traditions. Traditions can be helpful (like a picture is worth a thousand words), but they have a way of pushing aside or replacing the basic commandments. We might also carry through what was appropriate for a ‘dispensation’ in life into a more mature stage where it becomes unsuitable for going on unto the fullness which is in the ‘seed’. The attitude of the “keepers of the law” in the passage also appears in many churches, even in Israel still! Many traditions have grown up over the centuries in different streams and denominations, and many of them have become “essential”. We can be more concerned that people might violate our man-made rules for leading and serving the congregation/church, the way we do baptism and communion, or the set of rules that our particular group follows in the name of holiness, than we are about mercy and humility. We can be more concerned about which way to take up the offerings than about meeting the needs of people in the community. If we are not careful, these traditions of ours can become ‘law’, and we might even forget what the Word of God actually says about some of those things we do, or do not do.

Then, when someone comes along – like Jesus and His disciples — who discerns the difference, we can become defensive, judging them while justifying ourselves. But then we remember the teaching of Yeshua that God is more concerned with what/who we actually are than what our outward religiosity looks like. There is a place for rituals and traditions, but they must retain their proper place in our faith-life.https://bible.org/seriespage/22-jesus-and-traditions-elders-matthew-151-20

A third lesson from our reading is that the New Covenant is just that – new.There are some things that continue from the old, but there also some changes and differences which promote and advance the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and the truth of the one new man in Messiah Yeshua – affecting all believers, allowing for full social fellowship among and with all. In love, we do not make our liberty a cause of stumbling for another brother or sister. (Rom 14:13-23; 1Cor 8)

“Yeshua/Jesus Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition/separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity – the law of commandments in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” (Eph 2:14-16)

To obey the Lord is better than sacrifice.He wants a heart that is one with His.This will ensure that we are with Him and not against Him as we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, as the apostle Paul writes. (Phlp 2:12) We do not want to be judged as hypocrites, but as righteous, in the righteous judgment of God, who sees the heart.

Purim begins this evening, but the celebrations have already been going on for a few days. While most of the Jewish people are still in both a physical and a spiritual exile — not in fellowship with their God — we who know the Father can rejoice in His sovereign providence to preserve His people as He still works to bring them back to Himself. The only way He has given is through repentance and faith in His Son, the Lord Yeshua the Messiah/Jesus Christ, just as for each of us.

In the Scroll of Esther, it is written in ch 9 v 27 that Queen Esther and Mordecai instituted the custom that “the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days (the 14th and 15th of the month Adar, which is the last month on the Jewish calendar) every year. . . .”

This celebration began about 2500 years ago, and continues till now. What is interesting to note for Gentile Christians is that this decree is for you, too! You are ‘joined’ unto Israel and the Jewish people through your New Covenant relationship with Jesus, the King of the Jews and of Israel! It reminds me of the shortest of the Psalms, 117, in which it is written that all you Gentiles and peoples should praise YHVH and extol Him. Why? Because His lovingkindness has been great towards the Israeli Jewish people, and His truth endures forever!

God has shown Himself faithful and powerful to keep His covenant commitments towards the children of Jacob/Israel in Egypt at the time of the Passover, in Persia/Iran in the days of Haman (an Agagite and descendant of Amalek and Esau/Edom), through the horrors of the Holocaust, and will yet do do through the final purging of Jacob’s Trouble. So, it is for Gentile believers to join in with the purposes of God for the redemption of His chosen people, through whom salvation has come, and through whom the entire world is blessed, especially through the promised Seed, Yeshua/Jesus, who will yet rule over His people when He returns. Hallelu-Yah indeed! This is good news for all who love Him and His people.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/purim/purim-2017/feed/22017: A Momentous Yearhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/second-coming-of-jesusyeshua/2017-a-momentous-year/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/second-coming-of-jesusyeshua/2017-a-momentous-year/#commentsFri, 06 Jan 2017 13:03:02 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5844Continue reading "2017: A Momentous Year"]]>We are now into this new year of 2017, 5777 on the Jewish calendar (a 240-year discrepancy, but that is another story). Three years ago I began to look at some significant dates connected with the return of the Jewish people back to this land of Israel, and also looking ahead to the coming again of Yeshua.
( https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/eclectic-course-menu/dates-to-remember/ )

When the disciples asked Yeshua about the sign of His return at the end of the age, His first response was that they should be careful not to let any man deceive them, and that they should watch and be ready for whenever that exact time should come. (Mt 24:3,4,42) These signs – or events — were connected with the Jewish people living again in this land after a long exile. There have been signs in the sun and moon and stars last year and this. I do believe that God wants to get our attention, since we are His people and family, and to get us to remember that the Scriptures are His word to us, that we can be in the light and not in darkness. We are in a season, but exactitude is not given us to know. Signs point and lead to something and to Someone. Yeshua has all sovereign authority now in the heavenlies and on Earth. All these things serve the purposes of YHVH, the one true living God, to be exalted as such, that He may display the wonders of His love.

What are some of the significant events which converge this year to remind us of God’s plan of salvation for His people Israel?:

–This year of 2017 marks 500 years since the Reformation, when God used Martin Luther to open the Bible as the Word of God to the common people, and that salvation is a gift from God on the basis of faith in Jesus and His sacrificial death for our sins. Many Christians also began to see that God had promised to restore His chosen people, the Jews, back to the land He swore to give them as an inheritance.

–This year marks 120 years since the First Zionist Congress on Aug 29, 1897. Theodor Herzl warned his fellow Jewish people that they needed to get out of Europe because of anti-semitism, and to return to establish a state for the Jewish people back in Palestine, as the Promised Land was then called.

–This year marks 100 years since the ANZAC victory in Beer Sheva, on Oct 31, 1917 during WW1 (the same date as the Reformation), which enabled Britain to make known its intention, through the Balfour Declaration, to help the Jewish people reestablish their homeland here. By this declaration, the Gentile nations expressed their support for the return of the Jewish people back to the Land of Israel, as written in the Scriptures. God was acting and intervening towards fulfilling His promise, whether they understood or not.

–2017 marks 70 years since Nov 29, 1947, when the United Nations voted for the Jews and the Arabs to have two states in this land. The Jews accepted; the Arabs rejected the plan, and went to war.

–This year remembers 50 years since the Six-Day War victory in June 1967, in which the Israeli Jews captured Jerusalem, opening up access to its holiest sites, including the Temple Mount, which were closed to them all the previous years since the establishment of the State of Israel.

–The opposition to God’s interventions is remembered in the outbreak of the first Palestinian intifada in 1987, 30 years ago.

–This year has opened up with a UN resolution (passed just before Hanukkah and Christmas) claiming that Israel has no legal right to any territory that was not theirs before 1967, including East Jerusalem – Biblical Jerusalem — where the Temple Mount is located.

–There has been an increase over the last few years of Christians being persecuted and killed for their faith. Most of this has been perpetrated by Islamic jihadi terrorists, who want to take peace from people’s lives and hearts and minds, and to also bring the world into submission by force to profess the god of Islam as the only true God, and Mohammed as his prophet and servant.

What are some verses that help us to put these events into perspective for us as believers?:

Ezek 36:19-28 the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel for God’s holy Name’s sake; all will know that He is YHVH, and He will be Israel’s God, and they His holy people

Ps 2:1-6 opposition to YHVH and to Yeshua, and to God’s righteous ways

Ps 83:1-5 conspiracy to wipe out Israel from being a nation in opposition to the God of Israel (As a Jew, I also must confess that this is what the Jewish religion teaches about Jesus: that His name and memory must be wiped out and remembered no more. The Holy Spirit is working to bring everyone to account before the Lord.)

Zec 12:1-3 All nations shall come against Jerusalem, and will not succeed

Jer 30:12-25 (Heb; 30:12 – 31:1 Eng) The time of Jacob’s trouble coming in the Land to bring the people to repentance and salvation; God’s wrath will fall on His enemies, and on His people’s oppressors; in the latter days this will be considered, and fulfilled.

Lev 26:40-45 God bringing the Jewish people to confess their sins against Him, , and accept His righteous ways towards them, that they be saved and live in peace and security in the land He promised them for an inheritance.

Mt 24:6-14 These troubles and sufferings and events must come; but do not be troubled in our hearts; and the gospel will go out with power to save until Yeshua returns.

What should we do now, and throughout this momentous year?

–Read the whole Bible – as the Word of the Lord!

–Pray with understanding. Many good things promised, but a hard way to make it worthwhile to get there. The stakes are high, and the nations and Israel can expect a shaking from the very real living God, who desires that all should repent and be saved. For this He sent His Son into the world, which is ignored at our own peril.

–Pray for revelation and wisdom to understand the times, and what we should do as things progress: helping each other; encouraging one another; promote holiness in the fear of God….

–Continue faithfully doing what the Lord gives you, according to His call, spiritual gifts, ministry

–Evangelize, share the gospel with whomsoever, that they might repent and be saved before the Day of the LORD.

–Strengthen your faith, hope, and love in Yeshua, trusting God for His power and grace to use you and us for His praise, honor, and glory when Yeshua returns. (1Pt 1:3-9)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/second-coming-of-jesusyeshua/2017-a-momentous-year/feed/3Israel, The Nations, and YHVH God – 25 Dec 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israel-the-nations-and-yhvh-god-25-dec-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israel-the-nations-and-yhvh-god-25-dec-2016/#commentsSun, 25 Dec 2016 12:26:11 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5836Continue reading "Israel, The Nations, and YHVH God – 25 Dec 2016"]]>On Sabbath evening, Dec 23, on the day before the first night of Hanukkah, on the day before Christmas Eve, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2334, essentially declaring that the heartland of Israel — Judea and Samaria, and East Jerusalem — are illegally occupied and settled by Israel and the Jewish people. East Jerusalem is Biblical Jerusalem, and includes the Old City, the City of David, the Western Wall, and the Temple Mount. The United States broke its long-standing position to veto measures in the Security Council which were clearly against Israel’s legitimacy and legality. President Obama began his presidency eight years ago with his deference to the Islamic governments and narratives, and is ending his two terms authorizing an abstention on the vote, thereby allowing it to pass unopposed, allowing Islamic doctrine and terror to cause even “Christian” nations to throw Israel ‘under the bus’, and to wipe her out from being a nation anymore. (Ps 83:1-5) But neither has the Lord given Israel and the Jewish people to be the determiners of her own destiny. He has created, chosen, and called her and them to a destiny and an inheritance for His glory.

The U.S. and the UN, with all the nations, are obscessed with finding fault with Israel, because the battle is really against the God of Israel, who is YHVH, God over all. This, despite the fact that just a few short months ago, the Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, sought to have the UN basically nullify the Balfour Declaration, which set the Gentile nations in motion to help the Jewish people reestablish their homeland in Palestine (the Land of Israel). By this, he was making it very plain that he does not accept Israel as a nation-state. Yet, the U.S., and the UN Security Council, say that the Jewish settlements are the impediment to a two-state solution to “solve the conflict”. This is truly closing the eyes and putting one’s head in the sand! The settlements do pose a real challenge, but God is going on in HIS plan to restore HIS kingdom to Israel, and to all the nations. Only His solution is righteous and permanent.

The Bible clearly states that in the latter days all nations would come against Jerusalem (Zech 12:1-3; 14:1-8), and that the people and the nations are in a conspiracy against YHVH and against His Messiah (Anointed One) (Ps 2). On the other hand, the prophets foretold that all of Israel’s lovers would desert her (Jer 30:12-24), and this would be from God in order to apply pressure on His people to return to Him, who alone truly loves them and is powerful to save them when they confess their sins against Him (and against Jesus/Yeshua) and return to Him with all their heart. (Lev 26:40-45)

In God’s sovereign wisdom, He holds all sides to account for their actions — whether they be in rebellion, in unbelief, or in ignorance. All must give account to Him in the exercise of their free will.

We are about to enter the year 2017, a year of convergence connected with the Bible and the Word of God, the Jewish people and the land of Israel, and to signs leading up to such a great tribulation that there is no human experience for it, with the return of the Lord following. (Dan 12:1-3; Mt 24:21-31) The year 2017 marks the following signposts:500 yrs since the Reformation; 120 yrs since 1st Zionist Cong; 100 yrs (double Jubilee) since Beer Sheva Charge, the Balfour Declaration, and the capture of Jerusalem by Gentile Christians; 70 yrs since UN Partition Plan; 50 yrs Jubilee since capture of Jerusalem by Israeli Jews; 30 yrs since beginning of 1st Palestinian Intifada (“breaking the yoke; horse shaking off the rider”)

The stakes are high, and the nations and Israel can expect a shaking from the very real living God, who desires that all should repent and be saved. For this He sent His Son into the world, which is ignored at our own peril.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israel-the-nations-and-yhvh-god-25-dec-2016/feed/4Jesus Christ Came Into The World To Save Sinners – 24 Dec 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/birth-of-lord-jesuschristmas/jesus-christ-came-into-the-world-to-save-sinners-24-dec-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/birth-of-lord-jesuschristmas/jesus-christ-came-into-the-world-to-save-sinners-24-dec-2016/#commentsSat, 24 Dec 2016 12:35:48 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5825Continue reading "Jesus Christ Came Into The World To Save Sinners – 24 Dec 2016"]]>1Ti 1:15Faithful is the Word and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Num 29:39You shall prepare these to Yehovah in your appointed seasons, besides your vows and your free-will offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your food offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.

God did not command Israel to celebrate the birth of His Son, but He gave them – and us – the opportunity to celebrate as a free-will offering.We do it because we want to, and we do it gladly unto the Lord.What the Prophets foretold came to pass:the Messiah was born!Trumpets were to be blown in Israel on the day of our gladness. (Num 10:10)Was/Is not the birth of the Lord a day of rejoicing for the heavenly host of angels who proclaimed the glad tidings to the Israeli Jewish shepherds, and to the shepherds themselves who heard and saw all that they were told; was it not a day of rejoicing for Simeon, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, who saw YHVH’s salvation in the new-born Child and Son; was it not a day of rejoicing for Anna, the widowed prophetess waiting for redemption in Jerusalem?Is it not a day of rejoicing for all who have come to believe in the Son of God, who was born in the flesh, and who is the Father’s gift to His people?:Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given! God has forever changed the culture of His people:rather than just remembering someone’s life when he dies, we now rejoice and celebrate the time of those we love for when they came into the world.It all waited for the celebration of the first-born of creation, and His Father’s joy in that day! It began as neither a Jewish nor a pagan holiday. It is God’s holiday celebration, which is actually what the name of Haggai the prophet means (“my celebration”)! It was Haggai to whom the LORD gave the date of this appointed time. (Hag 2:10-22)Yeshua came to His holy but unclean people to save and to cleanse them from all their sinfulness, and to restore His Throne to His people and to the Gentiles.

What Israel and the Jewish people as a whole did not appreciate when He came to His own, and to the world that He made should not restrict us who have seen the glory of the birth of the Lamb of God who was slain for our sins on the cross, and whose sacrificial death was God’s plan before the foundation of the world! His name is Yeshua because He will save His people from their sins.YHVH is our salvation and Savior!

The new and significant year of 2017 is being ushered in by the perfect coinciding of Hanukkah and Christmas. The 8th day and candle (the day of Yeshua’s circumcision) is the last night of this year, and the first day of the next. The God of Israel has given all the world a witness as to the time of His Son’s birth to the virgin, Mary.Going back another 4 years to 5 BC does not alter things much.But the world system has followed for centuries a calendar that points to the period surrounding the birth of the Lord, the King of the Jews.When I was recently in Thailand, I noticed that the date on a package ended with the numbers 2559.That seemed odd, so I asked what that was:the Thai culture traditionally counts its years from the era of Buddha, who lived more than 500 years before Yeshua/Jesus.Muslims count their years from 622 AD, the year that Mohammed went from Mecca to Medina.Tonight is the lighting of the first candle for Hannukah; today is the 24th of the ninth month.In the Jewish calendar, this is the month of Chislev; in the Gregorian calendar, which most of the world follows, this the 24th of the 12th month, December, but which is the ninth month when we count beginning with Israel’s first month in Aviv/Nisan/April! This date of the 24th of the 9th month was a day from which the [true] foundation of the Temple was laid, and YHVH would bless Israel and shake Heaven and Earth. (Hag 2:18-22)These things did not find genuine fulfillment with the Maccabees, but do in Yeshua, the true Savior and Deliverer from Gentile and pagan thrones – both literally, and also in the hearts of those who truly believe. (The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Yeshua.)

I want us to look at one example of the truth that Jesus came to save sinners:the woman caught in adultery. (Jn 8:1-11)

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. (2) And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him. And He sat down and taught them. (3) And the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman taken in adultery. And standing her in the midst, (4) they said to Him, Teacher, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. (5) Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such should be stoned. You, then, what do you say? (6) They said this, tempting Him so that they might have reason to accuse Him. But bending down, Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger, not appearing to hear. (7) But as they continued to ask Him, He lifted Himself up and said to them, He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her. (8) And again bending down, He wrote on the ground. (9) And hearing, and being convicted by conscience, they went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, until the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (10) And bending back up, and seeing no one but the woman, Jesus said to her, Woman, where are the ones who accused you? Did not one give judgment against you? (11) And she said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I give judgment. Go, and sin no more.

In this scene, the self-righteous religious leaders and teachers came to Yeshua with a woman who was caught, somehow, in the act of adultery.Where was the guilty man?Under the Law, both were to be stoned. (Lev 20:10-12)So their motive was not pure, but rather to trap Messiah and to show their disdain for women.People did not matter to them with all their religiosity, but the “Law”, which they themselves did not keep. Yeshua bent down and wrote on the ground with His finger, probably the sentence of death, which the Law of Moses demanded.He had not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.But then, the Lord showed His compassion in His identification with the sinner against her unjust accusers.He also appealed to the conscience of them:let he has no sin cast the first stone.From the oldest rabbi first, the others followed in leaving the scene.Jesus paid a price to mediate in this situation, with courage and compassion. Jesus did not acquit the guilty woman; neither did He condemn her:He told her to go and sin no more.Did she?We don’t know.

Jesus came to save sinners.He alone is without sin; He alone has moral authority to condemn; He alone could have thrown that first stone.But He desires to see sinners repent and have their hearts changed, sinning no more in the face of such grace and truth.He takes the blame; He takes the uncleanness.On the cross He bore our sin and our punishment.Can any who know such love and forgiveness continue to sin against the holy God and Savior?!Let each answer for himself, just as the Scripture leaves us without the answer to the rest of this woman’s life, and that of her accusers.

YHVH’s new covenant with Israel is that their sins will be forgiven forever.Our message which we have received from Him remains the gospel to sinners:repent and believe, and so receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit and of eternal life.

As I considered this passage about the woman caught in adultery, it reminded me of how Christians have historically accused the Jewish people before God for their spiritually adulterous unfaithfulness to Him, and of their sin and guilt in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus.The Savior continues to reach out to both with His own understanding and righteousness to affect the hearts and minds of both.All Israel will be saved when they look upon Him whom they pierced; and the Body of Christ will be purified when they humble themselves and show mercy to the Jews, even as they have received mercy from the God of Israel for all their sins in Jesus’ name.

We thank and praise God for giving us His Son (Is 9:6), and for what Messiah has done for us:forgiveness and new life, which only He could bring by coming here to Earth (even to Israel!) and suffering for us — both during His life and climatically in His death on the cross.Now He lives within us who are born-again from Above, and is with us in life and in death.Even this last enemy can not overcome the believer, but only serves to bring us into the everlasting presence of the Lord!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/birth-of-lord-jesuschristmas/jesus-christ-came-into-the-world-to-save-sinners-24-dec-2016/feed/2The Incarnation Shook Heaven and Earth – 19 Dec 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/birth-of-lord-jesuschristmas/the-incarnation-shook-heaven-and-earth-19-dec-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/birth-of-lord-jesuschristmas/the-incarnation-shook-heaven-and-earth-19-dec-2016/#respondMon, 19 Dec 2016 18:00:09 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5818Continue reading "The Incarnation Shook Heaven and Earth – 19 Dec 2016"]]>The birth of the Messiah some 2000 years ago was a singular event which divided history between that which came before from that which has been reckoned since. The God of Israel promised through the prophet Haggai that from a significant event on the 24th of the ninth Israeli month (corresponding to the 24th of December on non-Israeli calendars) that He would shake the heaven and the Earth. (Hag 2:20-22) God began by announcing His joy in the birth of His Son through the singing heavenly host.

When the Roman-appointed ruler over the Jews, Herod, heard the news, he plotted to kill the new-born Son. The Jewish religious leaders acknowledged that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, but not that His goings forth were from everlasting. When Yeshua began His public ministry by being baptised by John, the devil sought to tempt Him to submit to his wiles. At the crucifixion the Roman leader, Pontius Pilate, and the devil, and the Jewish leadership all conspired together to both crucify Jesus, and try to get Him to come down from the cross! The chief priests in apostacy cried out that “we have no king but Caesar!” (Jn 19:15)

After Pentecost, when the disciples had all been baptized with the Holy Spirit and began to take the gospel to all regions, it is written that they were “turning the world upside down, saying that there is another King — Jesus”. (Acts 17:6-7)

No shots were fired; no armies formed; just the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Truly YHVH had begun His revolution to overthrow Gentile thrones and to shake the heavens and the Earth. This work has continued till today, and we are nearing another promise from the Lord to again shake the heavens and the Earth at the return of this same Jesus/Yeshua:

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shakenot only the earth, but also heaven.”27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

We are celebrating this time with great anticipation that what God has begun at the first advent, He will fulfill at the second. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/birth-of-lord-jesuschristmas/the-incarnation-shook-heaven-and-earth-19-dec-2016/feed/0Trump Trumps! — 9 Nov 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/trump-trumps-9-nov-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/trump-trumps-9-nov-2016/#commentsWed, 09 Nov 2016 13:10:43 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5796Continue reading "Trump Trumps! — 9 Nov 2016"]]>They said it couldn’t be done, but he did it! Political election surveys have become little more than a form of divination. It really is hard to think of Donald Trump as President Trump. But it’s great that we are not going to be saying President Clinton any more. I still look to the coming of the rightful Heir of the ‘freed’ world, the Son of God, the Lord Messiah Yeshua! This world is still lying under the sway of the evil one, and Israel still remains an enemy of the gospel for the Gentile’s salvation sake. So the Millennial Kingdom has not yet dawned, nor has the night even yet settled.

Yet there is hope that Trump’s victory will be used by God to wake up the Church (the Body of Messiah) and the Jewish people to God’s own plan for righteousness and justice and equity, and to shake things up to work towards that objective. Some days ago I listened to a video by a well-known Christian, who said that Trump was God’s Cyrus candidate, and that Trump would be used by God to enable Christians to gain power and influence. I was thinking that was a poor analogy and a misplaced hope. He was looking for the Church to be empowered “to take over” rather than for Jesus to come back and reign.

I thought more of Jehu, whom YHVH sent Elijah to anoint that Jehu would destroy the House of Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, and all their governmental and religious allies. (1Kg 19:15-18; 2Kg 10:6-11) Trump, I pray and hope, is not going to go round actually killing those who have been bringing the U.S. down, but many of those who have are going to lose much of their influence. I pray that there will be some among them who will truly repent and believe the gospel. The same for Trump and those close to him. Jehu did not go on in faithfulness to God and His covenant, but amazingly followed the ways of those whom had been called and anointed by the LORD to bring down and destroy.

This is where the new Vice-President, Mike Pence, comes in. He was selected by Trump to be his running-mate, in part, I believe, because Pence is an evangelical Christian. He could pull in conservative Christians (although not all born-again evangelicals are necessarily conservative), and he was experienced as a politician as a Governor and as a Congressman. Mike needs to hold Trump accountable to his word, and to his behavior. Mike needs to be a Daniel, who feared and continued to faithfully serve his God — the God of Israel — while also faithfully and with integrity serving the Gentile kings, such as Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon and Darius of the Medes. Daniel did not fear them, but did respect them and their God-given authority. Mike, who describes himself as a Christian firstly, must continue to be that so that he will not be partisan but truthful, evangelical (Daniel called Nebudchanezzer to repent from his evil ways and know the true God of Heaven and Earth), humble, completely trustworthy, and proved that his faith was a living faith in a living God. Daniel also received revelation and wisdom concerning God’s future plans in the latter days, days in which we are now living. I pray that the vice-president will be the man of God that is needed in leadership and counsel.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/trump-trumps-9-nov-2016/feed/2The Inheritance of Yeshua – 28 Oct 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/the-inheritance-of-yeshua-28-oct-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/the-inheritance-of-yeshua-28-oct-2016/#commentsFri, 28 Oct 2016 21:23:45 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5791Continue reading "The Inheritance of Yeshua – 28 Oct 2016"]]>1Pe 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has regenerated us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in Heaven for you (5) by the power of God, having been kept through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time; (6) in which you greatly rejoice, yet a little while, if need be, grieving in manifold temptations; (7) so that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but being proven through fire) might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (8) whom having not seen, you love; in whom not yet seeing, but believing in Him you exult with unspeakable joy, and having been glorified, (9) obtaining the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Eph 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints

Last week we heard an excellent teaching on the expectation we have of a new, eternal, heavenly body to replace our present, temporary, earthly bodies which are incapable of living the fullness of the life which is our inheritance in Christ. Our congregation is called Yeshua’s Inheritance, and it is the inheritance which gives meaning to every human life: whether that person will, or will not, inherit eternal life. The God who has created the heavens and the Earth has given two options: eternal existence separated from Him, in a place called hell; or eternal life with Him, in a perfect New Heavens and New Earth where love is perfect in all its aspects. The way to either place is determined by one’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of God, by whom alone anyone can come to the Father.

The name, Yeshua’s Inheritance, for our congregation gives us an identity: we belong to Yeshua – both now and forever! This is the hope that we have along with all other believers – past, present, and future! The Hebrew word for inheritance (nachala נחלה) has the same root as for a stream or river (nachal נחל): the inheritance flows from its source like a river stream from generation to generation until it reaches its destination into the big, wide, deep ocean with all the other streams. YHVH God is our source, and His promises flow until they are fulfilled, to be inherited by all His holy ones. We are the inheritance of our God and Savior! What a treasure He has given us and promised us to inherit.

As was said last week, this inheritance comes into fullness only in the resurrection, when we receive our new bodies suited to the eternal life that we have also received as a free gift from God through our living faith in Yeshua as our Savior and Lord. This inheritance is not for one people or ethnic group alone, but for all who are born-again by the Holy Spirit from Above. It is for the corporate one new man in Messiah, a new creation: new bodies, new heavens, new Earth, new names. Jesus makes all things new, perfect, eternal in the Kingdom of of God.(Rev 21:5)We have the promise and the down-payment now; we receive the fullness of it when God finishes His plan of redemption in this world. (Rom 8:23-25; Jn 17:3)

For now, what does it mean for us in this congregation?First of all, we have a common hope and calling. Our vision and hope is the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ and the resurrection and rapture of the righteous – of the saints – that are connected with that.Our bodies will be transformed into heavenly bodies and we will forever be with the Lord, and will begin that ‘new life’ ruling and reigning with Him over redeemed Israel and the nations.This is Yeshua’s inheritance in the world to come, and ours with Him! (Is 19:25; Ps 2:8; Dan 7:13-14,18,27; Rev 2:26-27; 3:21; 11:15; 20:6)We will be ministers in His government, and priests as we rule and reign with Him as a kingdom of priests.

But brothers and sisters, if we do not love one another now, we risk inheriting nothing!As we heard last week, if our acts are not motivated by love for the Lord and towards others, our deeds or ministry or participation profit us nothing.They lack eternal value.Without unity bound by love, we have a weak testimony of the truth of who Yeshua is.We become a dysfunctional family that lacks order and peace.Love is not just a feeling; it is a commitment by choice because we love.God has chosen to love us, especially those who love His beloved Son, Yeshua, and all that He does for us springs from His love, even though we clearly do not ‘deserve’ such attention and kindness (among other good things that is love).God suffers long in demonstrating His love for us, and we are called to do the same.Long-suffering is an attribute of the fruit of the Spirit.These things should weigh heavily upon us as we examine ourselves in relation to the reality of our faith and hope, and how it affects our part in this local congregation, and any other.

Under the Law of Moses, all of the tribes of Israel, except one, received an inheritance of a portion of land in Canaan, which YHVH promised to the Children of Israel when He brought them out of Egypt, according to His covenant promise.This promise of an everlasting possession and inheritance still awaits fulfillment for the salvation of Israel as a nation.But the one tribe which did not receive any inheritance of land was the tribe of Levi, the priestly family.God determined that they would be scattered throughout the land to serve Him and the Temple and the people, and that their inheritance would be HIM. (Dt 10:8-9)All of the promised land to be inherited by the Children of Israel belongs to YHVH. Therefore, by having YHVH as their inheritance the priests inherited the whole land, although possessing none of it in their own right.

Our inheritance in Yeshua is greater than a particular land or country.This is our inheritance in Jesus:the whole Kingdom of God – the whole universe, which includes everything – because the Father has given it all to Him. (Heb 1:1-4; Rom 8:16-17)We have become God’s children in Christ, and co-heirs with Him.And Jesus says that all that is His is the Father’s, and all that is the Father’s is His. (Jn 17:9-10)And that especially means US, all who believe in God through Jesus, for whom He died to forgive us of our sin. All who believe in Jesus inherit eternal life! (Jn 3:16-17)But those who refuse to honor Jesus condemn themselves to eternal spiritual darkness apart from the Light of Life. (Jn 3:18-21)

The inheritance:Yeshua/Jesus! And the whole Kingdom of God and eternal life with the LordThe heirs:the righteous saints – all who put their trust and hope in Jesus for their salvation from sin and sinsOur present knowledge of our future hope:By the Word of God in the Scriptures and the indwelling Holy Spirit in believers.Take hope, young and old!We have a glorious future after the suffering and tribulations of this life: we will inherit the everlasting life that is really life that God has planned for those who love Him. (Eph 1:18; 1Tim 6:19; 1Jn 2:25; 1Cor 2:9-10; Is 64:4; Rev 21:1-8)

Lk 12:22-34And He said to His disciples, Therefore I say to you, Be not anxious as to your life, what you shall eat; nor for the body, what you shall put on.(23)Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.(24)Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap, having neither storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more are you better than the birds?(25)And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature?(26)If then you are not able to do even the least, why are you anxious about the rest?(27)Consider the lilies, how they grow; they do not toil, they do not spin. And yet I say to you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.(28)If then God so clothes the grass (which today is in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven) how much more will He clothe you, O little-faiths?(29)And do not seek what you shall eat, nor what you shall drink, and stop being in anxiety.(30)For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you have need of these things.(31)But rather seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.(32)Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.(33)Sell what you have and give alms. Make for yourselves purses which do not become old, an unfailing treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes nor moth corrupts.(34)For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/the-inheritance-of-yeshua-28-oct-2016/feed/2The Last Great Day of Succot – 24 Oct 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/the-last-great-day-of-succot-24-oct-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/the-last-great-day-of-succot-24-oct-2016/#commentsMon, 24 Oct 2016 09:35:32 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5785Continue reading "The Last Great Day of Succot – 24 Oct 2016"]]>

Today concludes the 22-day period of the feasts of ingathering — of the autumn harvest. Succot is the time of the fruit harvest, and of great rejoicing in the goodness and faithfulness of the God of the Bible, who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt to give them an inheritance in the Land of Canaan. YHVH would be their God, and they would be His people.

Today is Simchat Torah (the Joy of the Torah), which the Jewish people celebrate, and in the synagogues they not only conclude the reading of the five books of Moses which is read throughout the year, but they also begin to read Genesis as an indication of their joy in the Law of Moses, which for them is more ‘holy’ than the other portions of the Old Testament (Tenach). Yeshua stood and cried out on this last great day that all who are thirsty should come unto Him and drink, and out of his heart would flow rivers of living water. (Jn 7:37-39; 4:10; Is 41:17-20)

We pray that the Lord would open the eyes of His people as they read Moses every week of their need of YHVH’s salvation which is to found only in the name of Yeshua, Messiah and Lord.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/the-last-great-day-of-succot-24-oct-2016/feed/1Shimon Peres – 30 Sept 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/shimon-peres-30-sept-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/shimon-peres-30-sept-2016/#respondFri, 30 Sep 2016 10:46:42 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5779Continue reading "Shimon Peres – 30 Sept 2016"]]>Today Shimon Peres was buried, having died at the age of 93. Leaders and other dignitaries from Israel and around the world paid tribute to a great man of the world. He was forever an optimist, which continually gave him hope that things — including peace — would eventually improve, and he worked tirelessly until his end to live according to his faith. Yet the God of Israel has His own plan and solution for peace, which neither optimist nor pessimist can prevent. As the watchman cried out, “The morning is coming, but so is the night”. The Messiah Yeshua spoke that the night is coming when no one can work.

We continue to pursue the peace of God, that whosoever might know Him and have His peace. We continue to have the optimistic blessed hope: Jesus is coming again, and the righteous dead will rise from the dead, and the Kingdom of God on Earth will be established: righteousness and peace for the Jewish people, for the Arabs, for the other nations to whom the mercies and compassion of the LORD will be bestowed.

The last of the founding fathers of the modern reestablishment of the Jewish people in the homeland promised to them by the living God thousands of years ago has now gone. What will the fatherless do? The beautiful and poignant prayer, Avinu , Malcheinu (Our Father, Our King), was sung at the funeral by Peres’ own request. The plea is that God our Father and King would hear our voice. May many in Israel call upon the name of Yeshua and be saved from their sins, and have the peace in their hearts that He alone can give.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/shimon-peres-30-sept-2016/feed/0Bible Texts Written Earlierhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/bible-texts-written-earlier/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/bible-texts-written-earlier/#respondSat, 10 Sep 2016 04:31:50 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5761From tests done on archeological finds near Arad in the Negev, scientists are reconsidering the literacy skills of the Jewish people with respect to dating the writing of historical writings in the Bible: http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-look-at-ancient-shards-suggests-bible-even-older-than-thought/
]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/bible-texts-written-earlier/feed/0Not Peace Yethttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/not-peace-yet/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/not-peace-yet/#commentsThu, 25 Aug 2016 14:19:56 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5745Continue reading "Not Peace Yet"]]>Before I was saved, I was like most Jewish people: I did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, or that He was God’s Son in any special way, or that He died on the cross for my sins; maybe He did for the Gentiles! I also did not believe in Him as the Messiah which Jewish people speak of and hope for: we say that if the Messiah comes, everyone will know, and there will be peace. Clearly, not everyone knows that Jesus is the Messiah, and there is not peace in the world, not even in Israel! Simple!

Thank God for His mercy and grace to me that He saved me, and opened up the Bible as His Word! When I began to read the Bible, it was living and all true and relevant for me living now. It is not just history; and the stories that I had heard about, but was now reading from the source, were more true than the stories about them I had heard! They are not fables, but truth; they are not legends, but real: God is letting His people know the truth of things that other people just know as fables and stories! The Everlasting God reveals things to us that only He could know, but also wants that we know – especially His chosen and elect people whom He has created and redeemed for His glory. That is how we can be His witnesses to tell others the truth of things, and not just rely on logic or human philosophy or religious tradition. (1Cor 2:14) But we have to not only believe in God, but also we must believe God. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. For this is the witness of God which He has testified about His Son. He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself. He who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he does not believe the record that God gave of His Son. (1Jn5:9-10)

There are two places in the Tanach (O.T.) that particularly spoke to me about the fact that there is not yet peace, even though the Messiah has already come: Dan 9:26-27, and Ps 110:1.

Dan 9:26-27 And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of the ruler who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, until the end shall be war. And he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.

Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. Yehovah said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand until I place Your enemies as Your footstool.

The Daniel passage says that after Messiah dies, there would be wars until the end: not peace yet! The passage in Psalm 110, written by David (Mt 22:41-46) says that until Yeshua comes again, He is sitting at the right hand of the Father, and will do so until His enemies are made His footstool: not peace yet! Right there in our own “Jewish” Bible, in front of our eyes, and under our noses! God has spoken, and He has told us. . . at least twice. The main reason, of course, for there not yet being peace is because neither Israel nor the world has yet accepted and believed that Yeshua/Jesus is the Messiah of YHVH and the Son of God. (Ps 2) As we see developments around the world in ‘peace’ negotiations – in Israel, in Syria, among believers on different important issues – none of these has produced the true peace that we all long for: peace of mind; cessation of wars, hatred, envy; good health; righteousness; joy in the Holy Spirit. There is even war with mosquitoes! Anything that is called “peace” that is less than all of this together is not really the peace that God has planned for His people, and for the world-at-large that He created and made for His glory.

What are some other examples from the Old and the New Testaments that conflict and war are spoken ofin the world – or a false peace — after the Messiah has come [His first time, and until He comes again]? This warfare and lack of peace – or a false security — can be physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual.

In the first passage that we will read, YHVH God is speaking directly to Gog, the ‘legendary’ ultimate enemy of the Jewish people. God tells him to prepare for war against a people who, at the least, think and feel that they are at peace:
—Eze 38:7-12 Be prepared; yea, prepare for yourself, you and all your assembly that are assembled to you, and be a guard to them. (8) After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you shall come into the land turned back from the sword, gathered out of many peoples, on the mountains of Israel, which have always been waste. (But he has been brought out of the peoples, and they shall dwell securely, all of them.) (9) And you shall go up, coming like a storm. You shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you and all your bands, and many peoples with you. (10) So says the Lord Yehovah: And it shall be in that day that things shall come into your heart, and you shall devise an evil plan. (11) And you shall say, I will go up to the land of open spaces. I will go to those at ease, who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and there are no bars nor gates to them, (12) in order to take a spoil, and to steal a prize; to turn your hand on the inhabited waste places, and on the people gathered out of the nations, who have gotten cattle and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.

In this next passage from Daniel, it is written about one who we call now the Antichrist. (If you trace out this person described in v. 21 through the rest of the chapter, it is the same one.) He comes in and takes over deceitfully in order to destroy the people. Sadly, there are covenant-breakers among the Israelis who join him against their own people, land, and God. Although some of the details given in this chapter can be understood from the history of Alexander the Great and of Antiochus Epiphanes, the vision of Daniel is clearly said to be concerning the time of the end; that is, of the end-time of the last days leading up to and during the “70th week of Daniel.”
—Dan 11:21-24 And a despised one shall stand up in his place, and they shall not give to him the honor of the king; but he will enter while at ease and seize the kingdom by intrigues. (22) And the forces of the overflow will be swept from before him, and they will be broken, and also the ruler of a covenant. (23) And after they join him, he will practice deceit. For he will come and be strong with a few people. (24) He shall enter safely, even into the rich places of the province. And he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers. He shall plunder, and spoil, and scatter goods among them. And he shall devise his plots against the strongholds, even for a time.

The passage in Jeremiah about Jacob’s Trouble corresponds to what Daniel and Yeshua refer to as “a time of trouble/great tribulation”. This has not yet occurred, for Israel is not yet serving YHVH their God and David (Yeshua, the son of David) their King, whom YHVH raises up for them, both of which are the results of the time of unparalleled trouble. But Jeremiah explicitly prophesies concerning the whole House of Israel: Israel and Judah.
—Jer 30:1-9 The Word that came to Jeremiah from Yehovah, saying, (2) So speaks Yehovah, the God of Israel, saying, Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book. (3) For, lo, the days come, says Yehovah, that I will bring again the captivity of My people Israel and Judah, says Yehovah. And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave their fathers, and they shall possess it. (4) And these are the words that Yehovah spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah. (5) For so says Yehovah, We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. (6) Ask now, and see whether a man is giving birth? Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, like a woman in labor, and all faces are turned into paleness? (7) Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (8) For it shall be in that day, says Yehovah of Hosts, I will break his yoke from your neck and will burst your bonds. And strangers shall no longer enslave him, (9) but they shall serve Yehovah their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.

Let’s look at the New Testament. There are those who say that God is finished with the Jews, with Israel, with the land, this Earth now that Messiah has come. Then why should people (especially Jews and believers) still pray for the peace of Jerusalem? Of course, as we are seeing here, the peace that God is concerned with is not a ‘peace’ that the world would accomplish. His peace requires full acceptance of His beloved Son. The New Testament carries the same stream of prophecy as the Hebrew Scriptures, and gives us to know that their fulfillment comes with the coming again of Messiah the Lord. There is not peace yet!
—Mt 10:34-39 (Lk 2:34-35) Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. (35) For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (36) And a man’s foes shall be those of his own household. (37) He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (38) And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. (39) He who finds his life shall lose it. And he who loses his life for My sake shall find it.

—1Th 5:1-11 But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. (2) For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the LORD comes like a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say,Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape. (4) But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you like a thief. (5) You are all the sons of light and the sons of the day. We are not of the night, or of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be calm. (7) For those sleeping sleep in the night, and those being drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be calm, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation for a helmet. (9) For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him. (11) Therefore comfort one another, and edify one another, even as you also do.

Our security is found through our faith in Yeshua/Jesus. But that faith which assures us a peace that surpasses all understanding is grounded in us believing what He says, keeping His word.

—Jn 14:23-29 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. (24) He who does not love Me does not keep My Words, and the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. (25) I have spoken these things to you, being present with you. (26) But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you. (27) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (28) You have heard how I said to you, I go away and I am coming to you again. If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, I go to the Father, for My Father is greater than I. (29) And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens you might believe.

—Jn 16:33 I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

Jesus promises peace with God and in the heart now to those who believe in Him, but a sword – war – to the “world” and to unbelievers. We may know a sword in our own families and among those who have been our friends. This peace with God now is a pledge of the peace that is to come in the world to come, and of the perfect righteousness and peace beyond that in the New Heavens and New Earth.

What am I saying in all this, and also in last week’s message from Ps 2? The Scriptures are relevant in our everyday life, and speak into all situations. They shape our world-view and inform our hopes and expectations. They give us answers for those asking good questions, and give us truth when science or culture and worldly wisdom contradict what God has said. This is the temptation that the serpent deceived Eve with: “Did God really say?!” We are salt and light in the world, which also means that we give true testimony according to the Word of God of His covenant loyalty: there is no lasting genuine peace possible as long as Satan is the prince of this world, and there is unbelief and rebellion among the people and nations, until the Lord Yeshua returns to imprison the devil and to judge the nations in righteousness.

We must read the Bible prayerfully as the living Word of the God of Truth, and meditate on it, thinking critically about how it applies to what “the world” says and thinks and acts, and how we are to understand and to live in the truth: we belong to God, and Jesus has come to die for our sins because of our rebellion against Him and His Word, and the Holy Spirit is going to fulfill the truth of all that YHVH has spoken regarding all things. Let us read the Scriptures for what they are, and give glory to the Lord for this treasure He has given us in His love! We are His witnesses; let us be found faithful and true, walking in the truth with faith and hope and love! Amen!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/not-peace-yet/feed/2What’s Going On Behind The Scenes of Current and Future News?https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/eclectic-course-menu/whats-going-on-behind-the-scenes-of-current-and-future-news/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/eclectic-course-menu/whats-going-on-behind-the-scenes-of-current-and-future-news/#respondSat, 13 Aug 2016 09:19:53 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5729Continue reading "What’s Going On Behind The Scenes of Current and Future News?"]]>Do you read or listen to the news? Every day in Israel politicians and commentators are vying for power and influence, telling us who should be the Prime Minister, or what the PM should do. In the United States, there is an election process taking place, with each candidate saying that the other one is unfit to be President, the leader of the Free World. In Turkey and Iran, their leaders are threatening each other, and the rest of the world with terror, or support for terrorists. In Russia, their President is reasserting his country’s place as a serious threat to Western Powers. In the nearing future, the antichrist will arise, who will require all to submit to him as if he is above all gods and God. (Dan 11:36; 2 Thes 2:3-4; Rev 13:1-8)

What is also interesting in all this, is that each of these countries represents a different religious worldview, and how that affects their policies and geo-political decisions. They are peoples and nations who seem to agree on one thing: they want to determine and to rule their own destiny, and also the world’s.

What’s going on behind the scenes? What do the Scriptures say? What do they teach us? Let us look at a psalm of David (Acts 4:25), a psalm referenced several times in the New Testament:

Ps 2 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate on a vain thing? (2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers plot together, against Yehovah and against His Anointed: (3) Let us break their bands in two and cast away their cords from us. (4) He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; Yehovah shall mock at them. (5) Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His fierce anger. (6) Yea, I have set My king on My holy mountain, on Zion. (7) I will declare the decree: Yehovah has said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. (8) Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the ends of the earth for Your possession. (9) You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. (10) And now be wise, O kings; be instructed, O judges of the earth. (11) Serve Yehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (12) Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled in but a little while. Blessed are all who put their trust in Him.

The Holy Spirit through David tells us that the Gentiles and the Jews, with their leaders, are in a conspiracy against the one true God – against the Father and His Son, the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus. It is a vain thing that they do; it is destined to fail! You have probably all heard the saying that there is a Jewish conspiracy to rule the world. Well, it is actually God’s plan that a Jew will rule the world! Jesus is the King of the Jews and of the nations, and God has declared that His Son is the heir to the Throne of David to rule over Israel and the whole world. The conspiracy is actually by the devil and those of the world against the sovereign Creator and Redeemer.

What is it that the “world” wants? They want to be “free” from any accountability to a holy God, who is the righteous Judge of all the Earth. This conspiracy began in the heavenlies, when Lucifer rebelled against YHVH, and led other angels to follow him in the rebellion. Israel openly rebelled when she asked for a king like the Gentiles have, and then said that they did not want “this Man” Yeshua to rule over them. (1Sam 8:1-9; Lk 19:11-27) And the world Gentile powers have rebelled against the God of Israel, who gave them their authority, but they have all eventually caused distress for Jews and for Christians, the people of the true God.

What does it mean when they want to break the bands in two and cast away their cords from us? You remember that Isaac told Esau, when he spoke to him after giving the blessing to Jacob, that the day would come when Esau would break the yoke of Jacob his brother from off him. (Gen 27:40) We see this taking place today in the intifada, which is the Palestinian uprising against the rule of the children of Jacob over them here in Israel. But it represents something much bigger: it is the spiritual rebellion against the sovereignty of YHVH God, led by the spirit of a religious faith in another god. It is the world today rising up against the morality of YHVH, whose name is holy, saying, in effect: “Who is YHVH that we should serve Him?!” “Who says that He is God Most High?!” “Why should we submit to His authority and morality?!” “All religions are okay, and lead to something good. In fact, better in our own eyes than what the God of Israel wants!” So, in the end, it is more than seeking equality among the different religions and cultures and life-styles. It is a rebellion against YHVH even more than simply seeking “equality with Him”, which is itself rebellion. Tolerance is for anything other than truth. “What is truth?!”, Pilate asked Jesus. To the “world”, all is subjective relativism.

Some current examples that we see of trying to break God’s and His Son’s yoke, and their restrictions that make for civil society:
–requiring governments and people to accept homosexuality as normal and as a choice for each person to make regarding their own gender identity; in other words, not only to choose what sex to do, but what sex to be!;
–sex outside of marriage is accepted as normal and not sinful;
–not allowing in Israel and in Christianized countries, like the U.S., to use the Bible for explaining or instruction in righteousness in public institutions; or, to pray in the name of Jesus;
–being sued and denied a license for a bakery because of being owned and operated by believers in Yeshua;
–not allowing any Jews to enter some Muslim countries; not allowing any evangelism either;
–Israel makes it difficult for evangelical Christians to receive visas, or for Messianic Jews to immigrate;
–Russia just passed a law forbidding any evangelism outside of a recognized church building;
–no spanking of children in some ‘enlightened’ countries, as an overreaction to child abuse;
–not being able to teach Creation in schools, only Evolution: no sovereign, holy, uncreated God; no special uniqueness about this solar system or the Earth; no chosen land or people or city or unique and beloved Son of God;
–humanism, that man is basically good, is the dominant philosophy opposed to the Word of God saying that all are born in sin, and need to be given restrictions and boundaries to live socially, and that people need to be born-again by the Holy Spirit in order to have life.

These are just a few examples out of many, many more. The results and consequences of throwing off the yoke of the true God is to lack the fear of God, to be ignorant, to lack wisdom, to be not only immoral, but amoral, to lack purpose and goals, to be unable to think critically, and to lack discernment between good and evil. By all this, the devil deceives the people much more easily to side with him and his rebellion. If we are deceived, we do not know it, and it requires an intervention by God to bring us to our right senses! Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him, because they did not know what they were doing.

This Psalm 2 also tells us that God is actively working so that the people will know what they are doing, and that they must repent while there is time, if they want to be saved from His wrath. (2Cor 6:2; Is 61:1-2)

Though it is written that God laughs at this vain thing being planned, He is not amused: He holds them in derision. (Is 40:15-17) Since the death and resurrection of God’s anointed King, His Son, He is making it known everywhere, and calling all persons to repentance, because He has declared that His Son is going to be King in Zion, and He is the Judge of His people Israel, and of the Gentiles, and will rule over all. (Dan 2:44; Jn 3:14-21; Acts 17:30-31)

Although Jesus is already chosen and anointed to be the King of Israel and of the Nations, He is not yet reigning on David’s throne: He has not yet been accepted by His own people or by the Gentile nations. This is like when God chose David to be King instead of Saul, but David did not actually become the king until after Saul died, and after the people accepted him to be king. Yeshua is now reigning — at the right hand of the Father — over Heaven and Earth, but He is not yet accepted by the whole House of Israel to be their King as Heir to David, according to God’s covenantal promise. (Lk 1:26-33,67-75; 2Sam 7; Mt 23:37-39) Born-again believers already possess eternal life, but it is evident that we have not yet inherited it: it remains a living hope upon a sure promise. (Rom 8:23-25)

The Psalm also informs us that Yeshua/Jesus is the Son of God. The New Testament quotes this verse 7 in the psalm in the context of Yeshua’s resurrection from the dead (Acts 13:33; Rom 1:4): the proof that He is God’s Son, and by that He inherits not only Israel, but all the nations are His, and become accountable to Him. (Is 49:5-6) For this, the gospel is to go out to all peoples and nations, not only for individual salvation, but also for nations to be saved, like Israel and Egypt and Assyria. (Is 19:23-25; Dan 7:13-14) Part of our joy is knowing that we, too, will rule and reign with Messiah when He returns. He promises those in the church that those who overcome will rule the nations with a rod of iron to break the stubbornness of rebellion in the people. (Rev 2:26-27; 3:21; 20:6) This is the inheritance of the saints, in fulfillment of the covenant made with Abraham! (Dan 7:18,25-27; Gen 22:17; Rom 4:13)

David finishes his psalm by warning those who are in rebellion: they need to fear YHVH and to acknowledge His majesty and righteousness. And they must respect and honor God’s Son, for His favor is their salvation. (Rev 6:12-17; 19:15) Even believers in Jesus are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (Phlp 2:12-13) We should be concerned with offending God, and to recognize our weakness – our “trembling” — that we are wholly dependent upon Him for grace and mercies in our need for help in serving and living for His glory. His faithfulness and strength are our confidence and joy! “Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”

In this psalm we see already the suffering yet triumphant Messiah, Son of God, over His enemies. And we who follow the Lord will also suffer yet be triumphant by our living faith in Him. YHVH is sovereign over all and against all! The schemes of man and devil can not and will not succeed! Repent, and believe the gospel, and be saved from this perverse generation! (Acts 2:40; Rev 3:19-22)

What should we do?:–In the face of this unholy and ungodly conspiracy, we can ask God for boldness to be witnesses of the King whom God has chosen and that we serve. (Acts 4:27-29; Rev 12:11)

—Pray for those in authority to repent and believe actively, that they be saved. (1Tim 2:1-6)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/eclectic-course-menu/whats-going-on-behind-the-scenes-of-current-and-future-news/feed/0What Kingdom Are We Of? – 1 Aug 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/what-kingdom-are-we-of-1-aug-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/what-kingdom-are-we-of-1-aug-2016/#respondMon, 01 Aug 2016 07:08:10 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5706Continue reading "What Kingdom Are We Of? – 1 Aug 2016"]]>As I follow the election process in the U.S. (we are also citizens there), I thank God for saving me and giving me hope through faith in Jesus! I had been active in the political system with the naïve idealism of “tikkun” — trying “to make the world better”. (I didn’t know then that satan is the prince of this world, nor that God had HIS plan of tikkun.) Thirty-six years ago, the state of the union (the U.S.) was heavy on my spirit: to me the U.S. was the greatest country in the world, but it was going down fast, and nothing better was coming up! God was there in the person of a man named Dwight, and the Lord had prepared me to finally listen to the truth and the hope that is in Jesus. When I confessed Him to be who He is, God gave me His Spirit and I knew! And that hope was set firmly in the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ (by faith in this name I was saved), and HE WILL make the world right!

The low level of this year’s elections and candidates only confirms what I already saw and felt 36 years ago. May God have mercy and shake up His people! We are almost blind like Isaac, and willing to bless the wrong choice for carnal reasons; and Esau was willing to forsake all for exaggerated temporary relief, and then blame his brother for bartering to have what he had not valued.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/what-kingdom-are-we-of-1-aug-2016/feed/0Palestinian Leadership Seeks to Sue Britain for Balfour Declaration – 26 July 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/palestinian-leadership-seeks-to-sue-britain-for-balfour-declaration-26-july-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/palestinian-leadership-seeks-to-sue-britain-for-balfour-declaration-26-july-2016/#commentsTue, 26 Jul 2016 08:37:42 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5699Continue reading "Palestinian Leadership Seeks to Sue Britain for Balfour Declaration – 26 July 2016"]]>As the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration approaches next November, the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is gearing up for the effort to undo it. According to this latest effort, the British government — which issued the Declaration on November 2, 1917, expressing their intent that the Jewish people should reestablish their historic homeland in Palestine, without harming the rights of those already living there — is guilty of setting in motion the catastrophe that the predominantly Islamic Arabs claim is an invasion into their territory by a non-Muslim sovereign entity. This latest attempt to completely delegitimize Israel reveals the falseness of any statements to the effect that the Palestinian leaders would be willing to have a “two-state solution” for the “Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”.

The incessant efforts to erase all historic Jewish connections to Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, the Land of Israel find support from a number of world bodies and nations. Just last month UNESCO emphasized the Muslim connection to the Temple Mount — on which Jesus was possibly crucified — while afterwards acknowledging that the site is important to Jews and Christians, as well. Last year the PA wanted the UN to declare that the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) is a Muslim holy site, which did not pass. Before that, UNESCO did vote that the Cave of Machpelah — which Abraham bought as a burial site for his wife, Sarah, and where also Abraham, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah are all buried, these being the fathers and mothers of the Jewish people — is a Muslim World Heritage Site!

What will be next? As the battle against YHVH’s sovereignty and plan intensifies, He is going on, whatever the nations and peoples may do. Let us, too, go on with Him in faith that He is justified in all that He does, and we are saved by grace and justified when we believe in Jesus, and what He says. The gospel is to the Jew first, and also to the Arabs and to all other Gentiles! The day of reckoning is coming when all will know that the triune YHVH is the true God, and that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/israel/palestinian-leadership-seeks-to-sue-britain-for-balfour-declaration-26-july-2016/feed/2The Farthest North – Ezekiel 38:6,15https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/the-farthest-north-ezekiel-38615/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/the-farthest-north-ezekiel-38615/#commentsSat, 16 Jul 2016 08:00:36 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5691Continue reading "The Farthest North – Ezekiel 38:6,15"]]>Ezek 38:1-6 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah fromthe far north and all its troops—many people are with you.

Ezek 38:14-17 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it?15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” 17 Thus says the Lord God: “Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?

With the latest developments in Turkey of an unsuccessful coup last night, and a renewed alliance with Israel after six years of open animosity, can we see anything in the Scriptures that shine some light on this? Turkey was the seat of the Islamic Ottoman Empire/Caliphate for more than 600 years in the Middle East, supposedly dissolved completely in 1922, in the aftermath of WW1. The Ottomans ruled in Israel (Palestine) for 400 years. Islam is a religion of the sword, and was established in direct opposition to the truth of the triune God, Yehovah, and against His Word that is the Bible — both Old and New Testaments –, and against His Son, the Lord and Messiah Jesus, and against His people, the Jews and Christians, and against His city, Jerusalem, and against His land — the Land of Canaan which YHVH covenanted to give to the Children of Jacob/Israel as an everlasting possession, the Land of Israel.

Islam is being revived with a vengeance, and terrorizing the whole world. They are at war among themselves over the ‘rightful heir’ to the Caliphate, and the spiritual war is ultimately between Satan in the person of the coming Antichrist, and between YHVH, God Most High (El Elyon) in the person of Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah. God the Father has given all things to His beloved Son, Yeshua, and to all who believe in Him for salvation. For this, the devil is in a rage, and out to destroy everyone he can. The Muslim jihadist cry of “Allahu Akbar” actually means Allah is greater, not God is great, as usually reported. Greater than whom?! Which God?! (Dan 11:36-37; 2Thes 2:1-4)

Israel is looking for peace in any human way possible. Therefore, she will never really have peace, until she returns to YHVH her God, through repentance and faith in her only Savior, Jesus. (This is similar to the story of Joseph with his brothers in Egypt.) Israel is making agreements with several Islamic countries in a joint effort to combat terror (which can not succeed, since Islam promotes jihad, which for most of us expresses itself in terror to bully and intimidate others into submission. Turkey, which became secularized following WW1, under the leadership of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, has, under the current leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, returned to being again a more religious and political Islamic country again. The coup attempt last night was an effort by some of the military to restore the secularized Islamic character of the State. It failed, and retribution will be swift and brutal, and Erdogan will consolidate his grip on power more firmly.

Why is this of interest? The prophet Ezekiel was given a Word of YHVH for us living in the latter days. Twice in ch 38, which speaks of Gog and the preparation for the war and invasion against Israel in the Land of Israel, the Holy Spirit gave Ezekiel the words translated as the “farthest north”, in vv 6 and 15. Many commentators have said that this refers to Russia, since it is north of Israel. Yet all the commentators agree that the reference in v. 15 to Togarmah is located in Asia Minor, i.e., part of Turkey. (Asia Minor is also the area where the seven churches in Revelation were located.) So, if the “farthest north” is Asia Minor in v. 15, that same Hebrew expression in v. 6 must refer to the same “far north” country, that is Turkey!

Let us awaken to the events swirling around us, as prophecy and current events increasingly come together to help us understand the times in which we live, and what the Body of Messiah should do in light of that. “You heard Me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me. (Jn 14:28-30)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/the-farthest-north-ezekiel-38615/feed/2Gay Pride Parade Canceled in Beer Sheva; Protest Demonstration Last Night – 15 July 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/gay-pride-parade-canceled-in-beer-sheva-protest-demonstration-last-night-15-july-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/gay-pride-parade-canceled-in-beer-sheva-protest-demonstration-last-night-15-july-2016/#respondFri, 15 Jul 2016 09:01:45 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5687Continue reading "Gay Pride Parade Canceled in Beer Sheva; Protest Demonstration Last Night – 15 July 2016"]]>The proud LGBT community in Beer Sheva had planned a parade on the main thoroughfare of the city on Thursday, which was canceled after the community organizers refused a compromise route, suggested by police over security concerns, in a court ruling. Last night, between 1500-2000 persons demonstrated at the Municipality Plaza in Beer Sheva. It is very interesting that the Hebrew word for “proud” is the same word used by the LGBT for “gay” — גאה — and is pronounced ge’eh. (Ezek 16:48-50)

“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Yeshua, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Messiah.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this untoward generation.’ Then they that gladly received his word were baptized. . . .” (Acts 2:34b – 41a)

A group of volunteers has taken it upon themselves to clean and repair the Christian cemetery in Beer-Sheva, “in light of the formal authorities’ lack of action on the subject.” “The neglect devastated me,” said one of the volunteers. “This doesn’t honor anyone and offends the families who come to visit their loved ones.” After three hours of dedicated work, however, the place now presents a completely different aspect.

The Christian cemetery referred to here lies behind the British WW1 War Memorial Cemetery. The local cemetery is under the divided authority of the Greek Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches. We do know that some evangelical Christians have also been buried there in the small, crowded cemetery.

Daniel was burdened for the glory of his God, and the God of his people. In our lives there are times when we are greatly burdened but do not really understand what to do about the matter that weighs on us so heavily. The apostle Paul writes that as believers serving the Lord, there are times and situations when we are “hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair”. (2Cor 4:8) This is what Daniel was going through in his life serving YHVH his God in a foreign land, rising to power and influence with Gentile kings and their kingdoms. Daniel’s response to this was to humble himself with faith believing in the Most High God. (2Chr 7:14; Ja 1:5-8) Daniel is one of the great men of faith and wisdom in the Bible (Ezek 14:14,20; 28:3), and he set himself from his youth to be faithful to the God of Israel and to His covenants.

Daniel tells us the events of this chapter occur during the “first year of Darius.” This means that the Babylonian king Belshazzar has died in his punishment from God, the Babylonian empire has ended — both these events a time-marker by the Word of God to Jeremiah — and the Medo-Persian empire has now taken its place. (Dan 5:30; Jer 25:12-13; 29:10-14) Daniel was praying perhaps during the time of his prayers when his peers and rivals in the kingdom of Darius were scheming to catch him praying to any God other than to the King Darius, and so throw him into the lions’ den. His burden was both personal and national. This prayer follows chronologically the vision that Daniel had in chapter 8.

In this prayer of confession and petition by Daniel the prophet recorded for us in ch 9, we learn that at least part of the Bible (Tanach/O.T.) was already available to the Jewish people, and that Daniel read what he had. From the Law of Moses, YHVH had given His covenant with its commandments, its promises, its blessings and its curses, its judgments; and based upon the covenant, the people were in captivity in Babylon as a chastising punishment, and that the desolation of Jerusalem and of the Temple were all in accord with the Law of Moses and the words of the Prophets whom the LORD sent to His people. (Lev 25:3-5; 26:27-35; Num 14:20-24; Pr 3:11-12; Jer 44:4; also Mt 22:18; Lk 13:34-35) From the Word of the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel read and understood that God had sent His people into exile for a period of 70 years, and that now those years were completed. Daniel believed the Word of God, and sought God’s face and His righteousness. Daniel discerned the signs of his generation in which God was planning a great redemption.

God has always declares His historical actions and intentions before carrying them out. He knows the end from the beginning, and He includes His elect in His thinking and plans. What an amazing Father in Heaven we have! (Gen 18:17-19;Is 46:9-10; 62:6-7; Amos 3:7; Mt 16:1-3; Mt 24; Mk 13:23; Lk 19:44)

The beginning of Daniel’s prayer was to ascribe glory to God, and to praise God’s righteousness and covenant faithfulness. Daniel confessed both his and his people’s sins. This shows the genuine humility of Daniel’s heart and mind towards God and towards his own Jewish people: we read nothing of any sins in Daniel’s life, yet he identified with his sinful people before the Holy God. This is the same that the High Priest was to do on the Day of Atonements, and that Yeshua did for us in His baptism by John, and especially on the cross to bear the penalty for our sins in our place of guilt and shame.

While God acknowledged Daniel’s own righteousness before Him, yet God is still waiting upon Israel as a nation to confess her unfaithfulness and sins against Him and the covenant which He cut with them alone among all the nations of the Earth, in order that He can restore her and do for her all that He has purposed to do for the glory of His own name, and for the blessing to the ­­­in punishing the people for their sins, and that He alone is holy and righteous, but he and the people and the leaders of the people were shame-faced for all their sins and refusal to heed the Law and the words of the prophets whom God had sent them continually to call them to repentance. (Jer 44:4)

Notice here (vv 7,9) that Daniel is not only saying that the Lord is righteous, merciful, and forgiving, but these character attributes belong to Him. For us who believe in Yeshua and have received the Holy Spirit, these qualities become ours in Christ as we are conformed to the image of the Son of God, which is God’s will for us, often using persecution and tribulation to transform our character into more of His character for a testimony that we belong to Him.

Also notice (v 14) that Daniel knows that God’s Word stands, and even though hundreds or thousands of years may have passed, God would keep His Word to bring the disaster upon His people that the covenant demands. This is of great importance to us today, as God has spoken of the end-times and great tribulation that will come upon Israel and the nations, and upon the saints. (Dan 7:23-27; 8:18-26; Mt 5:17-18; Rev 12:13-17; 13:1-10) Time does not nullify God’s Word or His standard or His ways to accomplish His goal.

Having confessed his and his peoples sins, Daniel then goes on in his prayer to plead (supplicate) the Lord to turn away from His anger and fury from His city Jerusalem and His people and to act for the sake of His holy name to restore His people to their land which He promised to give them when He brought them out of Egypt. Daniel is asking God to extend mercy now, since the 70 years have ended, not because they deserve it for any righteous deeds they have done, but because of His great mercies. (Rom 11:28-36) Daniel is energized by the need for the Jews to get out of a foreign land and back to the land of their fathers, all for the sake of the holy name of YHVH, God of Israel, because His people and city are called by His name. Daniel knew that God’s Kingdom was connected with Israel back in the Land, with the Temple rebuilt, and that the honor of the Name of the one true God was at stake among the nations round-about.

What is striking about this Holy Spirit-led prayer (Jude 20-21) is that Daniel says not one word in his prayer against the people or the government where he is living and serving. He prays as a man of God concerning the righteousness of YHVH for the present suffering which he and the [chosen] people of God have been experiencing, and for God to act for His own holy name’s sake in mercy for His people and city and land.

As Daniel was still speaking, praying, petitioning the Lord, the ‘man’ Gabriel was sent to him to give him understanding about something beyond what Daniel had realized. It is written here that Daniel was greatly beloved. Gabriel revealed that God’s plan of redemption would span the rest of “this world’s” history, and that the present return to Judah and Jerusalem would not be the restoration of the Kingdom of God to Israel, but that it would be at a set future time, and would be connected with the death of the Messiah, with wars to come until the end, the antichrist, the suffering of God’s people, and a final set of years. For those reading and studying Daniel, the vision of ch 8 that Daniel did not fully understand regarding the antichrist kingdom (Dan 8:22-27), Gabriel is now giving Daniel the ability to comprehend it better by telling Daniel that those events of the time of the end are connected with this prophecy in Dan 9:24-27. Daniel was blessed by God to hear the decree by Cyrus the King of Persia, which set in motion the first week of seven years.

While Daniel was primarily concerned with God keeping His promise to return the Jewish people back to the Land of Israel, despite all her sins, but in accord with God’s righteousness and mercies, the answer he received went way beyond that “small matter” and heavy burden he was carrying. The prosperity connected with the return to the land would not mean that further chastising and judgments would not come. The whole issue of putting away sin, transgression, and iniquity is God’s purpose, not merely that we should confess that we do sin.

If we have a real interest in God’s interests, in our Father’s business, and how that is connected with Israel, and also for every individual person, and for the churches and the nations, we will actively read the Scriptures as being what they are – the Word of the Living God – and pray in accordance with what is written, and with the sanctification of the Name of our Father in Heaven a top priority as to why He should fulfill His promises and intentions.

As Daniel also understood the character of God that He had not forgotten the necessary judgments for breaking the covenant, so that is still true today. We can learn from Daniel the relevance and importance of praying and supplicating with understanding what God’s plan and will are, and that there is an appointed time, and that all is to be in accord with God’s righteousness, His mercies, and His holy Name. God is looking for individual persons to accept responsibility, as Daniel did, to show His favor upon, even while a nation remains under judgment and wrath of the holy God. There is a holy remnant within every nation and people group of those who serve the only true God and Savior.

Are we as awake to God’s Word as Daniel was? Do we recognize the signs of the times that we are living in, and knowing what the Body of Messiah should do? Are our prayers and affairs consistent with God’s revealed plan and purpose? Are we humbling ourselves and seeking God’s face, identifying with our brethren and our fathers in the sins against our great and awesome God, so that our Father in Heaven will hear our prayers in Yeshua’s name?

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/prayers/daniels-prayer/feed/2Keeping Faith in Yeshua in a Hostile Environmenthttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/conferences/keeping-faith-in-yeshua-in-a-hostile-environment/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/conferences/keeping-faith-in-yeshua-in-a-hostile-environment/#respondSat, 18 Jun 2016 11:23:21 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5660Continue reading "Keeping Faith in Yeshua in a Hostile Environment"]]>(Adapted for AMZI conference and ministry tour in Germany and Switzerland, June 9-14, 2016)

1Co 1:23-25 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness. (24) But to them, the called-out ones, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (25) Because the foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and the weak thing of God is stronger than men.

1Jn 2:22-25 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He who denies the Father and the Son is antichrist. (23) Everyone who denies the Son neither has the Father. The one confessing the Son also has the Father. (24) Therefore what you heard from the beginning, let it abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you will abide in both the Son and in the Father. (25) And this is the promise that He has promised us: everlasting life.

1Jn 5:19 We know that we are of God, and all the world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

Ps 2:1-3 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples conspire a vain thing? (2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers plot together, against Jehovah and against His anointed, saying, (3) Let us break their bands in two and cast away their cords from us.

Rom 11:28-32 Indeed as regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes. But as regards the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. (29) For the free gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (30) For as you also then disbelieved God, but now have been shown mercy through their disbelief, (31) even so these also have not believed now, so that through your mercy they may also obtain mercy. (32) For God has shut up all in unbelief, so that He might show mercy to all.

The subject we have is going to be tested to the limits as the last days of the end-times draw nearer to a close. The Scriptures are written for us living at the end of the age, and therefore the things written in them are for us living now, as much as, if not more in some things, than for those who lived at the time they were written. (Rom 15:4; 1Cor 10:11)

The name of our congregation, Nachalat Yeshua (Yeshua’s Inheritance) is itself a testimony to our Israeli Jewish society of our faith in Jesus. We intentionally decided to include Yeshua’s name in our name, rather than use a more general term, such as “The LORD’s Inheritance”. It better helps define who we are, and to be more open about it in discussions or conversations with unbelievers who inquire.

That we are here today with our friends from Beit Jala is also the fruit of building a relationship with our Arab Palestinian brothers and sisters – again, as a testimony to our peoples that the truth of God, and of His righteousness and peace, is found only through repentance and faith in the gospel. When we share with Israeli unbelievers – and even with other believers – why we go to Bethlehem every Christmas time, and to a church that does not support the return of the Jewish people back to the land promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and to their descendants – in these last days – it is to testify to the truth of the gospel of Jesus’ sacrificial death for us on the cross, and of His resurrection and ascension, as being greater than the disagreements we have on some important subjects. Israel is unique in that it is the only Middle Eastern country native to Jews and to Arabs, where believers in Jesus of each people can live and meet together. This cannot happen in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, or Iraq.

As a congregation, all of our local members send their children to public schools, rather than to Christian schools (which are not in Beer Sheva anyway) or homeschool. It is certainly a challenge, and a struggle, and a matter of great concern, given the level of education these days. The primary responsibility for children’s “education” lies with the parents, so we constantly monitored what was being taught to our children in subjects which could be problematic. (Gen 18:17-19; Dt 6:4-9) We would instruct our children in truths, if the school was instructing them in lies, such as evolution, or that all religions and faiths are equal, and nowadays in matters of “sexual identity”. We also taught our children not to be afraid or ashamed or embarrassed that our family believes in Jesus, even – and especially – in our Jewish society which rejects and hates Him. It is like sending out our lambs among wolves, but it helped them all to be able to be open about their faith in their classrooms, with their unbelieving friends, in the army, in college, and in their workplaces.

Evangelistically, we encourage everyone to be willing and ready to share their faith, and the gospel, with others, as the Lord gives opportunity. We have had some major public evangelism campaigns in Beer Sheva, and they have all generated a strong, negative reaction. Yet we continue to preach the Word of God, confess the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and baptize new believers, whether Jewish or other. But as light and salt in the world, each of us must be prepared to tell others the truth about the Son of God the Father, even though most of our people are religiously opposed to the only God and Savior. And our good works must be towards believers and unbelievers, for our Father is good and merciful to all. We want them to be saved just as we were: by the grace of God through repentance and faith in the gospel.

For me, Israel is a great place to follow the Lord. For one thing, there is nothing better anyway. And, it is a place where you must learn to trust Him and obey in faith. There is no Christian culture to support those who are disciples of the Lord Messiah, either culturally or in truth. There is no softening of the blows; believers themselves must learn to stand against all that attacks the true faith, and the true Jesus – who is neither “Yeshu” nor “Isa”. We need to help and support other brothers and sisters in this spiritual warzone. Reading the whole Bible as God’s Word is of great importance to grow in the faith, and in the knowledge and ways of God. In the Scriptures God has told us His plan, and the reasons for it, just as YHVH told Abraham why He was going to judge and destroy Sodom. Jesus tells us as His friends what the Father has revealed, and the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth.

Military service is a necessary part of being an Israeli citizen, especially for the Jewish people. As believers, this can cause a conflict: on the one hand, we must obey the civil authorities, and military service is part of the life in Israel; and Israel is surrounded by sworn enemies who seek her destruction. On the other hand, the Lord tells us that our warfare is not carnal, but spiritual, and that we are to love our enemies. How, as believers, can we live in this tension, and be overcomers? Each one has to hear from God, and act in faith with a clear conscience. In either case, we will be needing to explain ourselves to others, whether to our Arab brothers and sisters, or to our Jewish people among whom we live. What is important for believers in the military is to demonstrate a different spirit – a different motivation and attitude — in them than in those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their own Savior from their own sins, and from the sins of their people. Soldiers in Messiah will need to show their faith by their works, whether by sacrificially helping others, not complaining about their commanders and officers, not stealing, not falling to the temptations of sex or of other sins, but taking a stand for the righteousness of God.

The Bible makes a difference between killing, as in war or police actions, and in murder. This is very important to all of us, for conscience sake, and in matters of justice. As citizens who benefit from the security and well-being of the society, the fact that most of the believers are willing to sacrifice themselves — sometimes with their lives, and in other ways, such as delaying studies and careers – with others who are obligated to serve the country, helps to break down a barrier against Jewish believers in Jesus, which is that we are no longer Jews or have that we have joined the persecutors. Now, the military echelon has come to respect the believers, and to make them officers and put them in charge of important positions. This makes the testimony of faith more credible to them, and gives more respect for “Christians”, for those who do believe.

In the society, when we are known and respected, then opportunities are given us: taking in Christian refugees from Sudan; cooperating with a city soup kitchen; assisting Holocaust survivors; working with the government Tourism ministry; being entrusted with police and court procedures, such as translating for those whose Hebrew is insufficient.

We are in the world, but not of the world. We are the salt of the Earth. Let your light so shine, that by your good works they glorify your Father in Heaven. (Jn 17:16-17; Mt 5:11-16)

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/conferences/keeping-faith-in-yeshua-in-a-hostile-environment/feed/0Israel Celebrates HaPoel Beer Sheva Football League Championshiphttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israel-celebrates-hapoel-beer-sheva-football-league-championship/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israel-celebrates-hapoel-beer-sheva-football-league-championship/#respondTue, 24 May 2016 05:56:16 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5643Continue reading "Israel Celebrates HaPoel Beer Sheva Football League Championship"]]>Although I am not a big football (soccer) fan, and don’t even know all the rules, the championship of the 2015/16 season has been a cause of celebration in the whole city of Beer Sheva for the last three days since its decisive victory in the final game of the season. Many people throughout the country rejoiced as HaPoel Beer Sheva won its first premier league championship in 40 years, and in its first year in her new stadium. Last night, between 80-100,000 people crowded the Municipality Square for a nationally televised celebration. (Beer Sheva’s population is about 200,000). The Beer Sheva team is owned by Alona Barkat, the sole female owner of a major sports club in Israel. May many of these players, managers, and fans come to know Yeshua and receive an enduring crown and reward!http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-40-year-first-hapoel-beersheba-soccer-club-are-national-champions/
]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israel-celebrates-hapoel-beer-sheva-football-league-championship/feed/0Prayer of God’s Family and Yeshua’s Discipleshttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/fins-and-scales-choice-variety/prayer-of-gods-family-and-yeshuas-disciples/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/fins-and-scales-choice-variety/prayer-of-gods-family-and-yeshuas-disciples/#respondSat, 21 May 2016 12:32:14 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5638Continue reading "Prayer of God’s Family and Yeshua’s Disciples"]]>Prayer might be the only thing many believers can do; and prayer might be the only thing on which many believers across the denominational streams agree. Therefore, even here, the enemy comes in to bring inaction or disunity!

Let’s pray now together the prayer, commonly known as the “Lord’s Prayer”, but which is better described as the prayer pattern which Jesus taught His disciples and brothers to pray. Yeshua’s prayer in John 17 is definitely the Lord’s prayer! (Even now He intercedes for us!)

Mt 6:9-13 . . . Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, (10) Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread; (12) and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Prayer is the life-breath of a believer in the living God. It is natural communication with God, our Father in Heaven. Prayer indicates a close, personal, loving, free relationship and fellowship between Him and the believer in Him through our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. In the short epistle of Jude, it is written that we should pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). And this is in the context of the end-times. All of the prayers that we have in the Scriptures are prayers in the Holy Spirit: they are according to the mind and heart of YHVH God, according to the circumstances and covenantal responsibilities and expectations. (Heb 12:22-24) So surely the manner of prayer which the Lord Yeshua teaches His disciples is one in the Holy Spirit. Praying in the Holy Spirit does not only mean to pray in tongues, but is for every believer.

Mt 6:5-15 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. (6) But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. (7) But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles. For they think that in their many words they shall be heard. (8) Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him. (9) Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. (10) Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread; (12) and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (14) For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; (15) but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Yeshua begins by telling us how not to pray! First of all, He says not to be like hypocrites who only want to impress others with their public prayers; but their private prayer life may be non-existent; or else, they want to impress people with their religious piety. God is not impressed in any positive way by this! Most of our prayer life will be in secret. After all, the apostle Paul writes that we should pray at all times. There is a place and time for corporate prayer, and we have examples of that, too, in the Bible. Both are appropriate; but mostly we need to develop our communication with God our Father in our private time and place, and this will rightly influence our public prayers, as well.

Yeshua also tells us not to simply repeat the same prayers or words over-and-over again, like some mantra or magic, as if this will cause God to answer us like we want. Every human wants basic necessities, such as food and clothing. Our Father in Heaven knows that also includes us! If we seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, we will not be worrying about our basic needs like unbelievers do; and the Lord tells us that our Father will provide these things to us as we seek first His interests and His ways. (Mt 6:31-34; cp Gen 28:20-21) We are to pray with faith, and with understanding of God’s will.

We are praying to a personal God (Hos 2:16), who is living and hears our prayers, and loves and cares about us as a Father. Through the gospel, God has become our Father in a personal way. In Judaism, they acknowledge God is a Father to Israel, and we see this through the Old Testament (e.g. Ex 4:22; Dt 32:6; Jer 31:9; Jn 8:41-42). Through the gospel and the New Testament, each believer has received the spirit of adoption to call God, “Abba, Father”. (Rom 8:14-17) The veil has been rent through Yeshua’s sacrificial death, and we have direct and open access to the Throne of God, Maker of Heaven and Earth!

In this prayer for disciples and God’s family, the Lord teaches us to focus on our Father and His interests. As children of God, we are to honor Him, and to desire that His will be done, not what seems necessarily right to us. We humble ourselves before Him, being under His authority. It is an occasion of self-judgment, acknowledging our need for forgiveness of our own sins, and our obligation to be merciful and forgive others who have sinned against us.

In other religions, their gods can be anything and anywhere. The God of Israel is in Heaven! In other religions, even those who claim to worship a god in Heaven, they do not relate to Him as to a Father: there is no personal relationship, no knowledge of a Person – whether unto God, or whether Him unto us/me. Jesus teaches us to pray to our Father in Heaven. Even Messiah prayed to God His Father n Heaven, and not to Himself, although He is God in the flesh, and the fullness of the Godhead was in Him. Also notice, we come to God our Father as part of a larger family: we pray to our Father, recognizing that we are not alone to know Him as the Father, and we seek His interests and our needs collectively, and not selfishly. Our Father in Heaven loves each and all of us, and we are to love one another with His love.

The very first matter of prayerful priority is that our Father’s name be sanctified. As His children, our lifestyle and choices should demonstrate that it matters to us how we conduct our lives, how we dress and speak and eat, how others would think of our Father’s good name by the way they perceive us. We should take an active interest in His business. (Lk 2:49; Jn 5:16-19; Jn 6:29) This is one way we show that this element of Holy Spirit prayer matters to us as far as I have a part in it. We are not to carry His name in vain.

Another way that our Father’s name is sanctified we learn from the Scriptures by what He Himself has told us:

Eze 36:17-28 Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings, even as the defilement of woman’s impurity, their way was before Me. (18) So I poured My fury on them, because of the blood that they had shed on the land, and for their idols by which they defiled it. (19) And I scattered them among the nations, and they were scattered through the lands. I judged them according to their way and according to their doings. (20) And when they entered the nations where they went, they even profaned My holy name by saying to them, These are the people of Yehovah, and they are gone out of His land. (21) But I had pity for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went. (22) Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yehovah: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. (23) And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. And the nations shall know that I am Yehovah, says the Lord Yehovah, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. (24) For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all lands, and will gather you into your own land. (25) And I will sprinkle clean waters on you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from your idols. (26) And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. (27) And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments and do them. (28) And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

Eze 38:14-17 So, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord Yehovah: In that day when My people of Israel dwells securely, shall you not know it? (15) And you shall come from your place out of the recesses of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. (16) And you shall come up on My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It shall be in the last days, and I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Mewhen I shall be sanctified in you, O Gog, before their eyes. (17) Thus says the Lord Yehovah: Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days, by the hand of My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days and years that I would bring you against them?

Eze 38:23 So I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself. And I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am Yehovah.

Eze 39:6-8 And I will send a fire on Magog, and on the secure inhabitants of the coasts. And they shall know that I am Yehovah. (7) And I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel. And I will not let them profane My holy name any more. And the nations shall know that I am Yehovah, the Holy One in Israel. (8) Behold, it is coming, and it will be done, says the Lord Yehovah. This is the day of which I have spoken.

Eze 39:25-29 Therefore thus says the Lord Yehovah: And I will return the captivity of Jacob, and will have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for My holy name; (26) after they have borne their shame and all their sins by which they have sinned against Me, when they dwell securely in their land and no one terrifies; (27) when I have brought them again from the peoples, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; (28) then they shall know that I am Yehovah their God who exiled them among the nations, but I have gathered them to their own land, and have not left any of them there. (29) Nor will I hide My face from them any more, for I have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel, says the Lord Yehovah.

Yehovah God has told us that His name will be hallowed/sanctified when His people Israel is saved and no longer profaning His Holy name, and they are dwelling safely and permanently in the Land of Israel, which He promised to give them, and when their enemies are defeated who had thought that He is less than the God Most High that He is, and YHVH is still the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob! This is written in the context of the last days. The sanctification of God our Father’s name is of the highest priority with Jesus. Is it with us? Do we know and understand the will and the plan of our God? (I thank Keith Parker for this insight.)

Yeshua goes on to teach us to pray for the Father’s kingdom to come, and for His will to be done on Earth as in Heaven. This is connected with the sanctification of His name, when He finally restores the Kingdom to Israel and over all the nations. The whole creation is waiting for this! (Acts 1:6-8; Rom 8:19-23; Rev 11:15) Although we have tasted of the Kingdom of God when we are born-again and baptized with the Holy Spirit, and we are being sanctified through our faith in Yeshua, the Church is not the Kingdom of God, and we know that God’s will is not being done even within ourselves as it ought, nor is our Father’s and His Son’s name being hallowed as He deserves and requires. The reality of the Kingdom awaits the return of the Lord to establish it — what is called the Millennial Kingdom — and His kingdom will never pass away.

The Lord then, after setting the highest priority, teaches us that we can ask our Father for our daily bread – physical and spiritual. Again, it is a request with the interest of our other brothers and sisters in mind, as well as our own need. So, too, is the request for forgiveness: most of us need to be forgiven, and we are to care for one another’s peace and blessing from our heavenly Father.

But, now, there is a condition placed on this request for forgiveness: it is dependent on our forgiving others, whether financial debts or any other form of offense. This is the righteousness of God, and a condition for our fellowship with Him to be full. It is also identifying with Jesus in His sufferings for our redemption and salvation, who asked His Father to forgive us for all of our iniquity and transgressions and sin against Him. Although I do not believe this is an issue of salvation for the believer, nonetheless our fellowship with the Father and with the Son, and with one another, will not be healthy, nor will it contribute to the honor and holiness of our Father’s name. This is a great challenge for us, and also a cause of stumbling to others – even for unbelievers — when we do not forgive. It is a condition on the unconditional grace which we have received for the price paid for our adoption. It should of great concern to any child of God, and our own spiritual fruitfulness is dependent upon it. (Mt 18:21-35)

Next, Jesus would have us know that there is danger in the world, and that we are able to get into trouble, and to become captive to evil, including to the evil one, the devil and the antichrist. By asking our Father not to lead us into temptation, we acknowledge that there is danger, and we want Him to protect us from deception; yet we bear a personal responsibility, as well, to keep ourselves from evil in the fear of the Lord.

Lastly, the Lord closes with a ‘statement of faith’ for us to proclaim: the kingdom is not the evil one’s, but our Father’s and of His Son! And to Him is the power and the glory forever! While we are praying for His Kingdom to come, we also declare now by faith that it is already in His hands, despite what we see or feel or need now.

Let us pray again this form of prayer which our Lord has taught us, and being more mindful of the content and the intent of what we pray: our focus in the Holy Spirit is God-centered, on our Father’s holy name which is currently being profaned by His own people – both Jews and Christians – and by the Gentiles and His enemies; our vision is to be the coming again of Jesus to establish God’s kingdom back to Israel and over all the Earth; God is our primary Provider, being our Father; the absolute necessity to forgive others; protection from being led astray by deceitful temptations; the proclamation and praise of the truth that our God reigns! HalleluYah!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/fins-and-scales-choice-variety/prayer-of-gods-family-and-yeshuas-disciples/feed/0Beer Sheva Being Developed as Cyber City – 15 May 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/beer-sheva-being-developed-as-cyber-city-15-may-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/beer-sheva-being-developed-as-cyber-city-15-may-2016/#respondSun, 15 May 2016 15:27:24 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5630Here is a Washington Post article highlighting the cooperative efforts of Israel’s collective ingenuity to develop cyber technologies for defending the small nation:https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/how-israel-is-turning-part-of-the-negev-desert-into-a-cyber-city/2016/05/14/f44ea8e4-0d58-11e6-bfa1-4efa856caf2a_story.html
]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/beer-sheva-being-developed-as-cyber-city-15-may-2016/feed/0Israel’s Population Has Increased 10-Fold Since 1948 – 10 May 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israels-population-has-increased-10-fold-since-1948-10-may-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israels-population-has-increased-10-fold-since-1948-10-may-2016/#respondTue, 10 May 2016 20:47:19 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5626Here is an interesting article with some statistics comparing Israel in 2016 with those at her establishment in 1948, 68 years ago:http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33619
]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/israels-population-has-increased-10-fold-since-1948-10-may-2016/feed/0God’s Pattern – 8 May 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/gods-pattern-8-may-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/gods-pattern-8-may-2016/#respondSun, 08 May 2016 18:59:26 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5622Continue reading "God’s Pattern – 8 May 2016"]]>The period between Passover and Shavuot/Pentecost is full of significant commemorative days here. Last week was Holocaust Remembrance Day; this week we have Memorial Day and the Day of Independence (68th). Of course, Ascension Day was remembered last week by those who remembered! By Messiah’s ascension to glory at the right hand of the Father, we who believe in the Lord can receive the Holy Spirit, who was given only after that event. And Yeshua ever lives now to intercede for us. Thank God! All these events point to the truth that there is redemptive suffering before the joyful glory on the other side, even for the modern State of Israel.

Much more of Israeli Jewish society today demonstrates a liberal tolerance of relativism regarding belief in God in general, and in Yeshua in particular. Religious Jews are exploring and questioning their own faith (chozer b’she’elah), leaving the close-knit group that they were born into to seek answers that were not coming. In general, as in much of the world, they are searching for truth but not necessarily believing that there is absolute Truth. Very futile! May God wonderfully surprise many who are searching for the truth with all their hearts!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/gods-pattern-8-may-2016/feed/0The Lamb Lives! – 21 Apr 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-lamb-lives-21-apr-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-lamb-lives-21-apr-2016/#respondThu, 21 Apr 2016 13:45:31 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5611Continue reading "The Lamb Lives! – 21 Apr 2016"]]>How good is our God! At the Passover, and for all those subsequent Passovers that the Israelis celebrated (in the past), many lambs were slain and blood shed in order for God to pass over the houses where He saw the blood, and in remembrance of that mighty initial act of salvation for His people, making His name great among the Jews and among the nations.

But poor lambs! They were offered in sacrifice that others could live, but they were killed and eaten! They could not enjoy the fruit of their sacrifice.

Praise the Lord! Messiah our Passover was slain for us, giving physical and spiritual salvation and deliverance to all who believe in who the Lamb of God is whose shed blood grants forgiveness and life! And not for us only, but Yeshua, the Lamb, rose from the dead and is alive, now seated in glory, interceding for us! He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied!

By His out-stretched arms, and with great judgments, we look for the blessed hope of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and our own resurrection (or rapture), the redemption of our bodies to receive the inheritance of the Kingdom of God. May it be in our own day.

Remembering His death until He comes.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/the-lamb-lives-21-apr-2016/feed/0Sexual Purityhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/second-coming-of-jesusyeshua/sexual-purity/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/second-coming-of-jesusyeshua/sexual-purity/#commentsSun, 17 Apr 2016 14:27:11 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5605Continue reading "Sexual Purity"]]>Est 2:1-4,14 After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus had calmed down, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. (2) And the king’s young men who served him said, Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. (3) And let the king choose officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, so that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, to the hand of Hegai the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women. And let their ointments be given. (4) And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king, and he did so. . . . She went in the evening, and on the next day she returned to the second house of the women, into the hand of Shaashgaz, the king’s officer who kept the concubines. She did not come in to the king any more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.

Act 15:28-29 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things: (29) that you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which, if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Be prospered.

I want to look at the manner of seeking a wife in contrast to the way of the Gentile King Ahasuerus. You will remember that the people of Israel asked for a king like the Gentiles have, rather than have YHVH being their King. YHVH is holy, and searches the thoughts and intentions of the heart; whereas, Gentile (those not in covenant relationship with YHVH) kings are sinners. The people became sinners, rather than being a holy and righteous people who kept the Law of Moses with God’s commandments and judgments. As we read in the New Testament, God has shown that all people are sinful — Jews and Gentiles; those who have the Law and those who do not — and need the blood of the Messiah’s sacrificial death in order to be saved and cleansed from sin. With Passover coming next Shabbat, it is good to remember that God has chosen us to be His holy people.

King Ahasuerus was looking for another wife, and had all of the pretty virgins from his large kingdom come to him, in the hope of being chosen by him to be his wife. It did not seem to concern all of his youthful servants or him that he was not leaving many eligible single women for many single men in his kingdom! All of these pretty women apparently had to sleep with the king as part of his selection process (Est 2:14). This is the way of kings – especially Gentiles. When Israeli kings – and other men — acted this way, it was against the Law of Moses, and against the holiness of the God of Israel. They became like Gentiles, which is what they wanted. It brought ruin and shame to the king and to the nation, and did not bring honor to the name of the LORD.

In the New Testament, all believers are called to a higher standard of holiness and purity than even the Law of Moses required. And to emphasize the seriousness and importance of this in God’s eyes, the apostles agreed with the Holy Spirit that Gentile believers needed to stop fornication of whatever kind. The Jewish believer was supposed to already know that from the Law. Fornication is a word that includes any illicit sexual activity outside of marriage – whether before marriage or during marriage, and even after one has been married (whether widowed or divorced). Fornication includes sex for payment, premarital sex, adultery (illicit sex with another while married), homosexuality of men or of women, bestiality, pedophilia, pornography.

The Israeli news is full of political, judicial, military, and religious leaders, and entertainers who are accused, and sometimes convicted, of sexual harassment and of rape. Most of these men are married, but no one is talking about adultery. The men usually do not deny that there was sex with the complainant, only that it was not rape: that is, it was done not by force but with consent. But adultery? Not a word in the public media! Yet the damage to the marriage and to the family is often irreversible. There is a breach of trust and security when there is unfaithfulness within the closest relationship that God has made between a man and a woman. Our security as the Bride of Messiah is His complete faithfulness in our relationship with the Lord Yeshua.

For one who loves God, who cares about him/herself in God’s sight, who respects the other person, in the fear of YHVH, they will be empowered to resist all temptation – and the Holy Spirit will help overcome the urge.

Today there is a BIG problem: fornication is not taken very seriously, even by many who say that they are believers, and even born-again! In a poll (conducted by The Nat’l Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy) taken in the U.S. a few years ago, 88% of all unmarried young adults (ages 18-29) are having sex. Among Christians, who identify as “evangelical”, 80% say they have had sex. 80%. . .even though, according to a Gallup poll, 76% of evangelicals believe that sex outside of marriage is morally wrong. There is not much distinction between the Body of Messiah and those still “of the world”. And consider, that if 76% of evangelical believers think that premarital sex is wrong, then 24% think it is okay! Which means that 56% of these young adult believers are hypocrites: they believe that premarital sex is wrong, but do it anyway!

In Israel there is a law which recognizes common-law marriage (publicly recognized couples). These are two persons living together in a manner that is as if they were married, and after only 6 months (!), they can be considered to be in a legal relationship that binds them under the law. (A true marriage is a covenantal relationship, which carries with it more serious benefits and consequences.) Some believers approve of such relationships. But what is the couple doing up until the time that they are publically recognized?!: they are sinning by having sex outside of marriage, with some even having children. God’s standard of what is acceptable, and of what is holy, is being lowered even by some believers to fit the low moral level of today’s culture, which does not want the Holy One of Israel to be their God and King, but want to break the bonds of YHVH and of His Messiah from off of them. (Ps 2) We might lower God’s standard, but He has not!

King Ahasuerus wanted to know what the Persian law allowed him to do about Vashti his wife. Believers in Yeshua need to know what God’s law says in such matters, and not be hypocrites, but obey with faith what our Lord says. We live under the laws of our nation, but when there is a contradiction, we must obey God’s higher standard, and not use as an excuse, “it’s legal in our country”; or, “it’s culturally acceptable in our society”; or, “times have changed, and the Bible is not currently relevant”. All of these excuses say that our fleshly desire has higher priority and authority over God’s sovereign authority! This is no different than what Israel wanted in asking for a king like the Gentiles have. What does the Holy Spirit say about this?:

Eph 5:3-7 For let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness not be once named among you, as becomes saints, (4) neither baseness, foolish talking, jesting, which are not becoming, but rather giving of thanks. (5) For you know this, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (6) Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience. (7) Therefore do not be partakers with them.

If anyone should say, I am not really a believer yet, so it is okay. NO! Then you put yourself in the category of “children of disobedience” that God’s wrath will come upon!

Do not test God, but in the fear of the Lord sanctify yourself; for without holiness, no one will see the Lord.

If any of you are already approving of sex before, or outside of marriage, please confess this sin to God, and He will forgive you. Do not justify sin, or return to it. If any of you are actively engaged in illicit sex, then confess this sin, stop the activity, and you will find favor with God. Isn’t inheriting the Kingdom of God, and being with Jesus worth it? Do we love Him more than even ourselves, more than someone who is not really respecting you if he or she is causing me to sin against my God and Savior, and threatening my eternal destiny!? God knows our deepest needs; He created and made us, and He is the one that gave sex as something good and holy between a man and his lawful wife. Part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control. In today’s world, there is a great battle going on for the souls of people, and for the dignity of human beings, whom God created in His image and likeness. Satan says that we can become like God by disobeying the Word of God and doing what we want. Satan is a liar and a murderer. The words of our Father are truth and life to all who trust and obey.

So, brothers and sisters – and especially those who want to find the right man or woman to marry, and who want to be the right person for someone – keep yourselves holy for that person, and for God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. You will never regret it!

The vision of Yeshua’s Inheritance Congregation is that we will be prepared for the coming again of the Lord, and to have part in the first resurrection. This matter of sexual purity is extremely important towards that readiness and overcoming the world by our faith, and being light in the increasing darkness.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/holy-daysappointed-times/second-coming-of-jesusyeshua/sexual-purity/feed/2Unity of the Spirit of the One Body of Messiahhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/the-way-of-this-life/unity-of-the-spirit-of-the-one-body-of-messiah/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/the-way-of-this-life/unity-of-the-spirit-of-the-one-body-of-messiah/#commentsFri, 01 Apr 2016 10:24:51 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5594Continue reading "Unity of the Spirit of the One Body of Messiah"]]>(Modified June 26, 2016)

Eph 4:1-6 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the calling with which you are called, (2) with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, (3) endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling, (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all.

I was in Kenya a few weeks ago on a mission to help Christians there understand the importance of Israel to them in God’s plan of redemption. There is a unity of purpose with God through Christ Jesus. Many of the church leaders – pastors and bishops – came up to me to ask of me forgiveness for them thinking and teaching that God had finished with Israel. This week I was at a leadership retreat (SAYF – Sitting At Yeshua’s Feet) with Jewish and Arab believers, and others, as an expression of our unity in the common faith that we have in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. When SAYF first began in 2000, the concern then was to bring together as one the charismatics and the non-charismatics. The group that I was part of in Kenya included Catholics, Anglicans, Pentecostals. I was the only Jewish believer, and I do not belong to any of those particular churches or denominations. But we were all born-again believers, and that is what united us! There is one Body of Messiah; we are many and diverse members across and within the many streams. I thank God that even in our own small congregation of Yeshua’s Inheritance, there is a variety that challenges us, and also that is a witness to us of the truth.

We just finished our study of the seven letters to the churches in Revelation. The Lord was writing to all the churches as being together as one church under His headship and shepherding. The New Testament is written to all believers of all churches, and each of us will have to give an account to the Word of God, even the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul writes that we are to have fellowship and to bless all those who love the Lord in sincerity, and who call upon YHVH out of a pure heart. (Eph 6:24; 2Tim 2:22)

God has given Israel as an example to the Church – to Christians throughout the generations. Israel is not an example to other nations, but to the Church. Israel and the Church are the ones in covenant with YHVH God, and He deals with us in similar fashion, and the Scriptures are written to us about all things.

You remember that Israel became divided into two kingdoms: Judah in the south; Ephraim, or Israel, in the north. What we read of the northern kingdom is that they did not allow worship of God in the place which He chose – Jerusalem – and they were completely idolatrous. But, there were real believers in Israel, the northern kingdom. In 1Kg 18 we have the account of when the prophet Elijah needed to meet the evil king Ahab. There was a servant in Ahab’s council named Obadiah. He hid 100 true prophets of YHVH from being found and killed by the queen Jezebel. All of these persons were faithful to the true God, even though they lived and even served in Israel. They did not move to Judah, but remained in Israel.

The time came that God’s long-suffering ended towards this part of His people, and He sent them into captivity by the Assyrians. The Jews in Judea and Jerusalem trusted in themselves that they were okay with God. But the time came when He told them through the prophet Ezekiel that their sisters – Sodom and Samaria – were more righteous than they: Judah knew of the sins of Sodom and of the northern Kingdom (represented by the capital, Samaria), and why God had punished them; yet they did the same things and more! (Ezek 16:49-52) There were also real and faithful believers in Judah.

As we study the letters to the seven churches, we also see that within each of the churches there were those who heard and obeyed the word of the Lord, and those who did not. All who did were of one spirit in the faith.

Throughout the history of Israel and of the Church, we see that there were always those who thought that they were the true believers when comparing themselves with others among the people. We just saw how Judah thought towards Israel. The first Jewish believers thought that the Gentile believers needed to become Jewish in order to be saved. The Roman Catholics thought that they had become the New Israel instead of God still keeping covenant with actual Israel. Later Martin Luther thought that the Protestants were the spiritual Israel. The Catholics thought that those not in the Roman Catholic Church were outside of God’s grace, and the Protestants thought that all those inside the Catholic Church were not real believers. The Pentecostals came, and thought that unless you speak in tongues you are not baptized in the Holy Spirit, which would mean that you are not really saved. Others thought that if you speak in tongues you are of the devil. The Church of Christ that my wife grew up in thought that they were the true New Testament church, even while teaching that God was finished with the Jews, and also with musical instruments for now. The Closed Brethren think that they are the only believers faithful to Jesus and the Apostles. Many of these believers in these different denominations and camps will not take the Lord’s Supper together because they do not accept each other as Christ accepts all who put their trust and hope in Him for salvation. But it is the Lord’s Supper, not ours; He has invited all disciples and brothers and sisters.

Again, the apostle Paul writes that let each one examine himself if he is in the faith, and not be judging whether the next person is or not. (2Cor 13:5-6; 1Cor 11:28-29) Within each of the very many streams of the faith in Jesus – within the Body of Christ – there are those who believe, and those who do not. We cannot trust in our own righteousness by saying that I am okay because I belong to a particular church or denomination; nor because I do not belong to that church or denomination! This is what the southern kingdom of Judah thought towards the northern kingdom of Israel. God is no respecter of persons, and those who think that they see will be judged even more severely than those whom God has already judged.

To be clear here, I am not at all condoning what I believe are Scripturally aberrant institutions and churches, such as the Roman Catholic; but I do believe that there are within it some true believers, just as Obadiah and the prophets were in Israel. Yet the Protestant churches are not exempt from God’s judgments. Free evangelicals, Messianic Jewish synagogues — no one can place their hopes on any other foundation than Christ crucified, and Him risen from the dead. True believers from any of these “camps” should be able to freely fellowship outside the camp in the truth — and bear Messiah’s reproach — take the Lord’s Supper together, and justify God as alone righteous. Through the centuries the record is full of disciples of Jesus who were members of churches which today we call historic or traditional. Some were led by God to remain in them, while others left. Good King Jehoshaphat of Judah wanted to be united with wicked King Ahab of Israel, believing sincerely that all Israel was “family”. Yet we learn from his efforts and experience that ecumenism and political alliances are not God’s way or thoughts for true unity of His people who are estranged from Him.

Through the blood of the cross, God has reconciled Himself to us, and we are reconciled to Him and to each other who believe – across all the streams that come out from and converge into the one river of life. (Rev 22:1-3; Ezek 47:1-12) Let those who have an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. It is a sin to judge God, and to make ourselves the judge of the Body of Christ, the Bride of the Lamb. Jesus is the Judge, and He says that His word will judge us. (Jn 12:42-50) Let us confess and repent of our sins against the Lord and our brethren if we have judged them unrighteously, simply because they belong to a particular church or denomination. At the same time, we can not reconcile with institutions or systems that remain opposed to revealed truth, in so much as we understand.

Eph 4:1-6 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the calling with which you are called, (2) with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, (3) endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling, (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all.

Joh 17:14-24 I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (15) I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth. (18) As You have sent Me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. (19) And I sanctify Myself for their sakes, so that they also might be sanctified in truth. (20) And I do not pray for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on Me through their word, (21) that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. (22) And I have given them the glory which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one, (23) I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me. (24) Father, I desire that those whom You have given Me, that they may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me, for You have loved Me before the foundation of the world.

1Co 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (17) For we, the many, are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/the-way-of-this-life/unity-of-the-spirit-of-the-one-body-of-messiah/feed/1Beer Sheva — From Biblical City to Modern Townhttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/beer-sheva-from-biblical-town-to-modern-city/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/beer-sheva-from-biblical-town-to-modern-city/#respondFri, 01 Apr 2016 05:36:04 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5592Here is a new PR video for Beer Sheva, named by Abraham and Isaac nearly 4000 years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpeYqnD2RCQ&feature=youtu.be
]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/uncategorized/beer-sheva-from-biblical-town-to-modern-city/feed/0Brief History of Rise of Messianic Judaism – 1 Mar 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/brief-history-of-rise-of-messianic-judaism-1-mar-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/brief-history-of-rise-of-messianic-judaism-1-mar-2016/#commentsTue, 01 Mar 2016 15:37:40 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5563Continue reading "Brief History of Rise of Messianic Judaism – 1 Mar 2016"]]>Redemption of Jewish Identity and Hope
Jer 29:11 For I know the purposes which I am purposing for you, says Yehovah; purposes of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Lk 2:34-35 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

My identity as a Jew was settled in June 1967, during the Six-Day War. I saw once again that the Gentiles wanted to kill us, and I didn’t know why; and I identified with my people and our land. Despite the Synagogue and the Church both historically telling me that a Jew cannot believe in Jesus, or that a Jew who believes in Jesus is no longer Jewish, the answer of the man whom God used in February 1981 to finally bring me back to Himself regarding the Jews and the Chosen People was good, it gave hope, and the Jewish people had a promising future.

–Judaism – Pharasaic, Talmudic, Rabbinic – rejects the Yeshua/Jesus of the Bible as being the Messiah.
–Juda-ism is self-oriented, culture-oriented (as is Christian-ity if separated from living faith and union with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ)
–Messianic Judaism does not mean only faith in Jesus/Yeshua as being Messiah, the Son of God; e.g., Chabad, Temple Mount Faithful, Bar Kochba, Shabbtai Tzvi

–YHVH God, though, gives hope to the Jewish people, and to “all Israel”
–He will be their God, and they will be His holy people
–the Land of Canaan/Israel as an everlasting possession and inheritance
–a rich heritage
–a kingdom of priests who will all know the LORD and serve Him faithfully, a blessing to other nations

–Yeshua came as the Seed of David, of the Tribe of Judah: Jesus came as a Jew, under the Law/Torah
–He fulfilled the Law perfectly, but also differently than other Children of Israel, in that Jesus never sinned, and had no sin. The Law is for sinners.
–the first believers and disciples of the Lord were Israeli Jews; until Cornelius, apparently all Gentile believers converted to some form of Judaism (Ex 12:43-49)
–app. 50 AD, the apostolic Jerusalem Council agreed with the Holy Spirit that Gentile believers in Yeshua could remain Gentile, but with some conditions regarding food and sex so as not to offend God or godly Jewish sensibilities (Acts 15)
–first Jewish believers were called Nazarenes (Notzrim) and Christians (Meshichi’im) (Acts 11:26; Acts 24:5)
–God gave a weaning period to the early Messianic Jewish believers to come to terms with the New Covenant (Letter to The Hebrews)
–first persecution of [Jewish] believers came from Jewish unbelievers
–the gospel is neither Jewish nor Greek, but a direct revelation from Yeshua the Messiah/Jesus Christ (Gal 1:11-12)

67-70AD Jewish revolt against Rome and the destruction of the 2nd Temple brought a definite separation between Jewish people who believed in Jesus and what He said, and between those who did not: the former fled Jerusalem when it was surrounded; the latter committed suicide on Masada
–in the New Testament, there was already an excommunication of Jewish believers in Yeshua from the synagogue (Jn 9:22; Jn 12:42; Jn 16:1-4)132-135AD Final Jewish revolt against Rome, led by Rabbi Akiva and Simon Bar-Kochba: the former a false prophet; the latter a false Messiah
–both still celebrated today within mainstream Judaism at Lag B’Omer: fire; no Jewish weddings from that date until Shavuot/Pentecost
–final internal split between the Synagogue and Messianic Jews who believed in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior from sin(s), LORD, King of the Jews and of Israel

2nd CentAD more splits within the “Gentile” Church over Jewish practices, Passover/Easter, Sunday worship

19th C: Rebirth of Hebrew Christian/Messianic Jewish movements: intuitively connected with the return of the Jews to the Promised Land in preparation for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ
—the desire and need to demonstrate and express God’s faithfulness to His chosen Jewish people, to covenant promises, to Jewish/Israeli aspirations and hopes as given through Moses and the Prophets, and through the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus and the Apostles
–1809 The London Society for the Promotion of Christianity Among the Jews (CMJ today) founded by Joseph Frey
–1813 Benei Avraham formed in London by 41 Jewish believers
–1820’s Joseph Wolff pioneers Jewish evangelism to the Jews in Middle East and India
–1842 First Protestant (and Anglican) church – Christ Church – in the Middle East built in Jerusalem in Old City, with the first Bishop a Jewish believer, Rabbi Michael Solomon Alexander
–1866 Hebrew Christian Alliance forms in London
–1881 first Aliyah (wave of immigration of Jews) to Eretz Israel (Palestine then)
–1883 Rabbi Isaac Lichtenstein of Tisza-Eszlar, Hungary, becomes believer in Jesus, and maintained his Jewish identity
–1884 indigenous Messianic Jewish congregation founded by Rabbi Joseph Rabbinowitz in Kishinev, Russia
–1885 first Hebrew Christian Church of America founded in New York by Jacob Freshman
–1894 Chosen People Ministries founded in Brooklyn, NY by Rabbi Leopold Cohn, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant
–1897 First Zionist Congress convened by Theodor Herzl in Basle, Switzerland, in face of severe European anti-Semitism; called for Jewish State to become a realty in Palestine

20th -21st C
–1904 second Aliyah to the Land
–1906 Azuza St. Pentecostal revival
–1915 Hebrew Christian Alliance of America established
–1917 Balfour Declaration proclaiming intent to reestablish Jewish homeland in Palestine
–large numbers of Jewish people come to faith in Europe by 1939; many die in Holocaust
–many Jewish young people come to faith during 1930’s
–effort to create Messianic Jewish identity
–1920’s and 1930’s short-lived attempt to establish Messianic Jewish fellowship in Palestine by Moshe Immanuel Ben-Meir and Hyman Jacobs, but many missions did not embrace the idea of a significant distinct Jewish identity outside of historical churches, which also did not understand the significance of maintaining an identity as Jew by Jewish believers in Yeshua
–1948 founding of modern State of Israel
–most Jewish believers left Israel during the War of Independence
–Moshe Ben-Meir, Abram Poljak, Haim Haimoff – who remained during the War of Independence — committed to Jewish identity
–began to promote term “Messianic Jew” (Yehudi Meshichi) rather than Christian (notzri)
–mostly non-rabbinic expression of pattern of life, but honoring Sabbath, Feasts, circumcision

–1967 a watershed year with the Six-Day War stimulating Jewish redemption and messianic expectations, with more Jewish people coming to faith in Jesus/Yeshua
–about 200 Jewish believers in Israel till then
–perhaps passing 1000 during the 70’s and 80’s
–large numbers of believers connected with huge wave of Russian-speaking immigration in 90’s
–today most evangelical believers in Israel have Russian as mother tongue
–between app. 10,000-15,000 believers today in Israel among Jews and those identifying with the Jewish people

–1972 Jews For Jesus (organization) founded by Moishe Rosen in San Francisco

Most of the Jewish believers today in Israel have come to faith outside of Israel, and are immigrants from many other countries on all the habitable continents. Most of the native-born Israeli Jews who are believers now are children born to immigrants. Native-born older generation Jewish believers are still a small minority.

Messianic congregations are mostly not connected with a mainstream denomination. Yet there is a sense of unity and mutual support – we are ‘family’! – despite great diversity of positions on important doctrinal and other issues.

There are still on-going efforts by some to shape and define what it is to be a Jewish believer in Yeshua/Jesus. In the U.S., some Messianic Jewish leaders estimate that there are 250,000 (?) Jewish believers in Jesus, and of those, only 22,000 (?) who belong to a Messianic congregation/synagogue.

Where does the NT truth of one new man in Christ Jesus come into all this?

When I first became a believer, I saw everything through Jewish eyes. I knew I was still Jewish, despite what the rabbis and preachers taught. I thought I should keep kosher, keep the Sabbath, and keep the Jewish holidays – now that I believed in the God of the Jews. The Holy Spirit said to me, “I didn’t tell you to do that.” This in no way diminished or weakened my identity as a Jew; in fact, the Word of the Lord also came to me to “go to Israel”, and He made it home on Earth. In Israel, of course, we are immersed in Jewish culture!

I thought that the Gentile Christians had stolen everything from us. Then the Lord opened my eyes and understanding and heart to the parable of the vineyard, where we killed the Son of the Owner, thinking to take the inheritance for ourselves without Him, and threw Him out of the vineyard. God took His kingdom [for a time] from the Jewish people, and gave it to believing Gentiles, most of whom have probably never met a Jewish person, know Jewish customs, or have any real sense of Israel as God’s chosen first-born nation! (Ex 4:22; Mt 21:33-45)
–God’s righteous judgment according to His covenantal conditions
–not many Jewish people for the small number of Jewish believers to fellowship with or to identify in a meaningful “Jewish” way
–the gospel is neither Jewish nor Greek, and the New Covenant has brought in changes and differences to the Sinai covenant, e.g., food, priesthood, Law, complete equality between Jews and Gentiles as born-again believers in Yeshua/Jesus. We are a new creation, and one new man corporately.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/brief-history-of-rise-of-messianic-judaism-1-mar-2016/feed/2Former PM of Israel, Ehud Olmert, Goes to Prison – 15 Feb 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/former-pm-of-israel-ehud-olmert-goes-to-prison-15-feb-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/former-pm-of-israel-ehud-olmert-goes-to-prison-15-feb-2016/#commentsMon, 15 Feb 2016 09:33:22 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5559Continue reading "Former PM of Israel, Ehud Olmert, Goes to Prison – 15 Feb 2016"]]>Today is both a sad day and a day for rejoicing, as former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert goes to prison for 19 months, convicted of bribes and obstruction of justice.

Olmert was tried and convicted of crimes going back to his days as Mayor of Jerusalem, from which he joined with Ariel Sharon in the new political party, Kadima, which Sharon formed after being elected PM as a Likud party member. This was all done in connection with the pull-out of Israel from Gaza in 2007, a traumatizing event which still reverberates till today.

It is a sad day that a man with the responsibility of governing a nation is tried for abuse and mis-use of his position, power, and authority. It is a day to rejoice that not even a PM is above the laws of the State of Israel. How this sick condition of corruption from the top of the head to the soles of the feet in Israeli society should cause those who truly seek righteousness and truth to look outside the “system” — not only that of the Chosen People, but also of the world-at-large! Although Yeshua/Jesus of Nazareth was condemned by rebels and lawless people as a criminal, yet YHVH God vindicated the Messiah and Son of God! O that He would come and take up His rightful throne as King of Israel and of the Jews, King over all the Earth, who reigns in righteousness and justice!

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed by Your Name; Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

This Sunday some of us are going to Bethlehem to worship with Arab brothers and sisters in the joy of our God. Next weekend our congregation (actually the Lord Yeshua’s congregation) will be host to over 40 teenagers from that same area. Today happens to be the shortest day of the year, when the light of day in the darkest of seasons is at its briefest in this part of the globe. A little light can dispel even more darkness; how much more the sun the blackness of night; how much more even does the Light which is the Word of God, and who is Himself the Lord Jesus Christ, dispel the darkness of lies!

Recently, at this very time of year when Jesus Christ is remembered by nearly the entire world, there has been an exposure of some rather remarkable indications of a falling away from the truth which has been entrusted to those who say they know God – or rather that they are known by God: a book by the well-known preacher and Israel supporter, John Hagee, with the strange view that Yeshua did not come to be Israel’s Messiah and therefore was not rejected as Messiah by them!; we’ve already had those even within the Messianic community deny the deity of Yeshua, or that Jews do not necessarily have to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the supposed spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, went on record just this week on a BBC radio interview that downplayed the importance of believing that Jesus, the Son of God, was born of a virgin. Besides undermining the veracity of the written word as given us in the Scriptures, it also, of course, raises the question: who then was the father of Jesus. If not God, then there is another Jesus the right reverend (or, maybe, wrong reverend, or simply not reverent) archbishop must be referring to!

I don’t know how many of you have seen the recent documents put out by Muslim leaders from around the Islamic world, and the response by Christian leaders. The Muslim letter is called, “A Common Word Between Us and You” (http://www.acommonword.com ), and the Christian response is titled, “Loving God and Neighbor Together” (http://www.yale.edu/faith/abou-commonword.htm).

The resolution of conflict in areas of mutual social welfare is not and can not be treated as being of the same kind alongside with “theologically based” peace. Our relationship and fellowship through the blood of Yeshua and our common salvation in Him are essential factors as a basis for other areas of reconciliation amongst believers. The Holy Spirit is speaking plainly when the Scripture says that between unbelievers and believers (with respect to the true God) there can be no genuine reconciliation between nations or peoples! (2Cor 6:14-18).

To seek to be at peace, as far as possible, with all persons is one thing, but quite another to do this in such a way which compromises in any way the confession of who the one true God is. To the Muslims, the name Allah is not the same one God as YHVH God, who has revealed Himself especially to and through the Jews – even if Arab Christians use that term with their own tacit understanding of it. So those who

are blessed as peacemakers or pursuers of peace in being called “sons of God” will be those who pursue and make peace based on YHVH GOD’S covenantal truth regarding peace. As it is written, even the demons know that there is one God . . . and tremble. When Muslims hear and say “Allah” they are not referring to YHVH God, the Father God who revealed himself through His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, who is one with the Father. (Ps 83:16-18 Eng) The Jews, Christians, and Muslims do not all share the faith of Abraham, for they do not all believe in the God of Abraham! (Dec 31: Check this current extremely relevant story for an Islamic view on the use of the name ‘Allah. Is Allah a personal name?: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071228/30662_Malaysia_Christians_Challenge_Ban_on_’Allah’.htm )

By the way, YHVH/Yehovah/Yahweh does not mean ‘God’ or ‘LORD’, but is the Name by which He will be known forever, the Everlasting God, the One who was, and is, and is to come – and who came to us in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name alone is given under Heaven for salvation unto eternal life. YHVH is the Most High God — God of gods, and Lord of lords (Ps 136:1-3) — over the god of the Muslims, the Hindus, the humanists, even of the atheists! There is no God like YHVH our God, and no other is to be compared with Him.

The document, “Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to ‘A Common Word Between Us and You’ “, which in fact was a Muslim initiative to “define peace and hope in this worldonly, presents a position, with itslanguage of accommodation,that gives the implicit impression that the God of the Bible is the same as that of the Koran. Concurrently it then implies that Jesus Christ is no different, higher, or greater than Mohammed, and that reconciliation between the two faith communities is essential for world peace.

The following quote is taken from the “Christian Response”:

“What is common between us lies not in something marginal nor in something merely important to each. It lies, rather, in something absolutely central to both: love of God and love of neighbor. Surprisingly for many Christians, your letter considers the dual command of love to be the foundational principle not just of the Christian faith, but of Islam, as well. That so much common ground exists – common ground in some of the fundamentals of faith – gives hope that undeniable differences and even the very real external pressures that bear down upon us can not overshadow the common ground upon which we stand together. That this common ground consists in love of God and of neighbor gives hope that deep cooperation between us can be a hallmark of the relations between our two communities.”

Neither Judaism nor Islam accepts that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Yet it is precisely upon this confession that He builds His church, of which we profess to be. Islam teaches that their God is not a father, and therefore, he has no need of a son, which expressly refers to Jesus, but also includes Israel as first-born son amongst the nations by YHVH’s own declaration. The Muslim nations’ hope lies in being reconciled to THIS God and to HIS Word, which is no different than that to Israel and the Jews, or to any other people. Peace in this world is of HIM and not of ourselves, however well-meaning.

In the Christian response to the Muslim leaders , the one true God is blurred and too much is left to each person and side to define for themselves what the different terms refer to. This, of course, will never succeed to accomplish anything genuine, and is clearly the wiles of the devil who is seeking to deceive even the elect, if he can.

The Lord Jesus says that we are the light of the world, and that our light is to shine so before men that they may see our good works done in His Name and glorify our Father in Heaven. To the Muslim, this makes no sense, since they do not believe in the same Lord and Savior as we do; nor is our Father in Heaven theirs. We are called to be stewards of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and of the uniqueness of our God, of His Son, and of the faith once delivered unto the saints.

Some say that speaking of Yeshua’s life and teaching is understood to include also that He died and rose again. By whom? The Muslims do not believe that He died, and therefore He did not rise again. The Jews believe that He died, and no more than that. As believers our salt will become more tasteless and less effective if we allow ourselves to be brought down to the lowest common denominator in the pursuit to find ‘common ground’, which will be found to be nothing but sinking sand!

The “Christian Response” to the Muslim appeal promotes neither inner nor political peace, not now nor for eternity. Yes, we all would like to see even temporary relief from all the suffering and injustices we face in the world, just as from headaches and other illnesses. But our actual calling is to bring those in darkness into the Light where there is true and lasting hope, not for this age only (which is in any case subjected to futility), but especially for the world to come.

At the very time and season that many believers around the world are celebrating the birth of Him who is the true Light who came into the world, His enemy is at work to bring in confusion, and using those called by the name of the Lord and of His Christ to either show themselves to be hypocrites who don’t really believe what they have written, or else afraid through unbelief in the love of the truth. “By this we know love, because [Yeshua] laid down His life for us.”

We live in sobering times, and are to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. The time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?! May God our Father have mercy on all His children.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/light-dispels-darkness/feed/0Being Light in The Coming Darkness – 16 Jan 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/being-light-in-the-coming-darkness-16-jan-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/being-light-in-the-coming-darkness-16-jan-2016/#respondSun, 17 Jan 2016 12:53:41 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5549Continue reading "Being Light in The Coming Darkness – 16 Jan 2016"]]>(An introduction to a study of the seven letters to the churches in Revelation, with the focus on believers being overcomers and light in the darkening world)

What is important to the Lord Jesus Christ regarding our spiritual condition as His disciples? He has given us the Law of Messiah in His sermon on the mount (Mt 5 – 7); He has given us to understand what the Kingdom of God is like in this world (Mt 13); He has told us what to expect as the time of His coming nears (Mt 24 – 25); He has given the Holy Spirit to teach us through the Apostles’ writings in the New Testament how we are to live as believers in the truth of the gospel of the grace of God. (Jn 17:20)

What is important to Jesus in order for us to be confident of our hope in His salvation for us?: The seven letters to the churches in Asia give us His counsel to equip us and to help us judge ourselves and respond appropriately according to what He praises and approves of, and of what He disapproves and gives correction. He gave the apostle John to hear and to see and to write these letters, and the whole book of Revelation, about 60 years after the Lord’s death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father. They are written for all believers as to one new man – where it does not matter if we are Jewish, Gentile, male, female, Turkish, or Ethiopian. It is written to the churches – where it matters not if one is Orthodox or Roman Catholic, if Protestant, Evangelical, Baptist, or Pentecostal. The encouragements, chastisements, warnings, promises are to all in the Body of Messiah: let him/her who has an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches.There is a call to listen: Even within the church there are different types of soil, of hearts, with respect to how we hear the Word of God and its interpretation.

He tells us not to be afraid. Our Lord and Savior wants each of us to be overcomers, to be victors, to be light in this world in the spiritual battles of life against the darkness of this age – victors over the devil, over this world, over our own selves. (Eph 6:12; 1Jn 2:15-16) He wants us to be wise virgins, who are prepared and glad when He comes. (Mt 25:1-13) We overcome by our faith in Jesus, who has won the victory for us on the cross, where He died and shed His blood to atone for our sins! The Holy Spirit gives us the power by the grace and the love of God to endure to the end in the faith!

All of these seven churches – these lampstands shining for the glory of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ — were located in the region of today’s Turkey on the Asian side. That light now is very dim, but not completely quenched. (Is 42:3; Mt 12:20) Turkey is now an Islamic country – spiritually very dark — and for 400 years ruled over Palestine/Israel. These churches were local city-wide congregations, and are also representative of the church-at-large, giving relevancy to these letters throughout the last 2000 years, and they also bring us right through the last 7 years of this age — Daniel’s 70th week (Dan 9:24-27) — leading up to the Lord’s return. All Scripture is written for us living at the end of the age; these letters are also prophetic in that they take us to the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of His saints ruling with Him in His kingdom over Israel and the nations. (1Cor 10:11; Rev 2:25-28)

The Book of Revelation is unique in that it is the only one in the Bible which offers a blessing to those who read and hear and keep that which is written therein. (1:3) It is a book which Yeshua Himself gave to be written, rather than inspired by the Holy Spirit. (1:1) It also ends with a curse for anyone who would add to or take away from what is written in it. (22:18-19) If we believe what the Bible says about the beginning of all things in Genesis, we will be more inclined to believe what God says about the end.

The book is the revelation of Jesus Christ: He is now in Heaven hidden from the world, but the plan of God is to send Him back at the appointed time, and every eye will see Him, including His people Israel. (Rev 1:7; Jn 16:10; Zec 12:10-11) The book opens with this hope of the return of the Everlasting God to take up His throne on the Earth. He is not only the Head of the Church, but He is ruler over the kings of the Earth. (1:4, 12-20) He has died and risen, and lives forevermore! There was no one before Him; there will be no one after Him: He is the first and the last.

Jesus is the uncreated Light, who shines like the sun when He is seen in glory, as on the Mount of Tranfiguration, or when appearing to Saul on his way to Damascus. (Gen 1:3-5; Mt 17:2; Acts 22:6-11) Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it/Him. (Jn 1:5)

Jesus is the Light of the world, and has called both Israel and believers in Him to be the light in the world, that others would see and know who the true God and Savior is. (Is 43:10-12; Mt 5:14-16) Both Israel and Christians have fallen short (Rom 5:21-26), but Jesus is here presented as the faithful and true witness: He is the true Israel and Man of God, the Prophet who perfectly speaks and bears true witness to YHVH God. The ninth commandment is “Do not bear false witness”, and this we have all been guilty of too often. Yet Jesus’ witness is true, both of the Father and of Himself. (Jn 8:12-20) He is the Light of the world, and those who follow Him shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. In Christ, we are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of night or of darkness. So let us not sleep as others, but watch and be sober. (1Thes 5:5-6)

This is what we want for ourselves, and this is the instruction we want to receive from this study of the Lord’s letters to the churches. Yeshua is seen by the apostle John as being in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, with seven stars in His right hand. John, the apostle that knew that Jesus loved him, fell down as dead when he saw the Lord in the light of His glory. And the Savior told him not be afraid: our Judge is also our Savior and Bridegroom. We should honor Him with holy fear, as true witnesses of who He is.

The Menorah was the light within the Holy Place in the Tabernacle and the Temple, both in the desert and also in Jerusalem. Only priests had access to it, and were to keep it lit at all times. Jesus says that the seven golden menorahs are the seven churches, and the stars (heavenly lights) that He holds in His right hand are the angels/messengers – whether divine or human (Mal 2:7) – of the seven churches. The letters are addressed to the churches through their messengers.

2Pe 1:19-21 We also have a more sure Word of prophecy, to which you do well to take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Daystar arises in your hearts, (20) knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture came into being of its own private interpretation. (21) For prophecy was not borne at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke being borne along by the Holy Spirit.

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/new-testament-faith/being-light-in-the-coming-darkness-16-jan-2016/feed/0Inauspicious Beginning of New Year – 3 Jan 2016https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/inauspicious-beginning-of-new-year-3-jan-2016/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/inauspicious-beginning-of-new-year-3-jan-2016/#respondSun, 03 Jan 2016 11:49:10 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5540Continue reading "Inauspicious Beginning of New Year – 3 Jan 2016"]]>The New Year just begun, connected as it is with the birth of the King of the Jews, has had an unpromising beginning here in Israel. The last night of 2015 and the first day of 2016 were cold and stormy throughout the country. And then the relaxed Shabbat in Tel Aviv was rudely shattered by a presumed terrorist who did a little vegetable shopping before walking out of the market with his father’s weapon, killing two and wounding seven, some critically. The murderer is still being looked for by security forces. The killer is an Israeli Arab, with a past criminal record.

Also on the news program last night, a religious-nationalist member of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) stated plainly his goal of a rebuilt Temple, and that if Arabs do not want to accept Israeli Jewish sovereignty over this land, then they should leave and go somewhere else. At present their position is in support of the destruction of the State of Israel, tantamount to a state of war, in which there is a difference between Arab terrorism and Jewish

What are believers in Yeshua/Yasua/Jesus to do? The Lord and Messiah gave us His command to be witnesses of Him. We need the Holy Spirit to continue to do this with effective power and love in the face of increasingly lawlessness. The Lord said that as the times of the end draw nearer, there would be a “beginning of sorrows” which must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (Mt 24:3-8)

Iran continues to humiliate the western powers ever since the nuclear ‘deal’ was agreed to and signed. This is classic Islamic strategy and tactics, which “nice, genteel” people find very hard to understand or accept. It is totally contrary to Judeo-Christian values, based on the God of Truth and Love. The internecine wars between Sunni and Shia Muslims continues to destroy countries in near proximity to Israel, and will only lead to greater and more brutal action between Islamic countries determined to rule over the House of Islam, and to exercise authority throughout the world to bring submission to their God and his prophet. (Dan 8; 10-12)

Yet through it all, the God of Israel is working out His plan of redemption through His righteousness and love (Dan 9:20-27), demonstrated in the death of His Son, Yeshua, on the cross, and in His resurrection on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He will bring His chosen people, beloved for the fathers’ sake, to call upon the name of YHVH (or of Jesus/Yeshua) to deliver and to save them. Many Muslims will repent and believe the gospel, the same good news which the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob gave to the Jewish people.

The war is heating up; the stakes are very high, even eternal; the outcome is sure. Let us who know our God continue to grow “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head — Messiah/Christ — from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph 4:13-16)

Let God turn to good what the world intends for evil!

]]>https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/latest-news/inauspicious-beginning-of-new-year-3-jan-2016/feed/0Three New Yearshttps://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/three-new-years/
https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/school-of-fish/three-new-years/#respondTue, 29 Dec 2015 08:42:45 +0000https://www.streamsinthenegev.com/?p=5502Continue reading "Three New Years"]]>I remember that before I was a believer, I wondered and asked the question: Why do we have and remember New Year’s. I was particularly thinking about the Jewish “New Year” which had become one of the High Holy Days in the synagogue. The answer that I gave myself, and to my parents, was that there must be Someone who is keeping us (the Jewish people) alive for another year. It gives an opportunity to thank Him, and to also hope that He would do the same for the next year.

Now, I have what, for me, is a broader and a more personal understanding of the significance of New Years. YHVH God has given three opportunities to observe a New Year. He is the God of Creation and of Redemption. We are all born in the flesh; we must be born of the Spirit to inherit eternal life. We are individuals; Israel is a nation, whom God calls His first-born son. These New Years — new beginnings — are begun by God, and adopted by His people — whether Israeli Jews, or whether Christians.

YHVH told Israel that for them, the New Year would begin on the first day (the first day of the covered New Moon) of the month of Aviv/Nisan, the first full month of Spring of the Hebrew calendar for Israel. This New Year focuses on the death of the Lamb of God, who died at the Passover, which is the 14th of that month (a Full Moon). Israel does not perceive the resurrected sacrificial Lamb, but only the Passover sacrifice for deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah is the Lamb of God who died for the sin and sins of every person, both in Israel and for all humanity for all time. In His death, all died, for He is the representative Man in God’s ultimate plan of salvation, which He conceived before time began. This first New Year of God’s redemptive calendar is the foundation of the gospel: Messiah crucified, and risen from the dead on the day after the Sabbath of the Passover week. By grace Israel was delivered out of Egyptian bondage; by grace all who believe are saved from sin’s bondage.

At some point in her history, Israel began to observe the civil New Year on the first day (the first day of the covered New Moon) of the seventh month (Tishri/Etanim) on her calendar in the Autumn/Fall. This may seem strange, yet for Israel, each year they would be forgiven their sins, and God would dwell among them for the next year, which the Feast of Booths commemorates with joyful celebration, two full weeks after the beginning of the month, marked by the light of the Full Moon. And the Jubilee year is marked from the Day of Atonements, which falls on the 10th of the same month. Jubilee is a new beginning for slaves, prisoners, debtors and creditors, and land possessions. The Day of Atonements is the day of the LORD, in which those who accept YHVH God’s sacrifice for forgiveness of sins — both personal and corporate — are saved and justified; and those who refuse His sacrifice and way of righteousness are condemned for their unbelief and unthankfulness. For an individual — and for Israel as a nation — this experience of being born-again through faith in God’s good news of His Son, truly marks a New Year of a new life in everlasting restored fellowship with God the Father and with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It marks new birth, which is needed since we all died with Messiah in His death on the cross. This new beginning for Jews and for Gentiles upon whom the Lord bestows His mercy will be fully realized at the coming again of the Lord.

The time around the birth of this Son, this Lamb, who was born to die, and to live forevermore to provide for the full reality of the Kingdom of God over all, marks the celebration of the third New Year, and this for all who love Him for who He is and for what He has done, is doing, and will yet do. God so loved the world that He gave His only unique Son so that whosoever believes in His name should not perish but inherit eternal life. Yeshua was born near the end of the “world” calendar, in the first month of winter, Chislev/December, on both calendars (and the 9th month beginning with April/Aviv), and puts away the old that the new may come in. His birth marked a new beginning of God’s intervention in Israel’s and the Gentiles’ affairs in order to take back to Himself all that had been lost by Adam and Eve and subsequent humanity, and deceitfully stolen by the devil to oppose the Sovereign God and His plan that human beings created in His image and likeness would be joint heirs with God’s Son of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ circumcision on the 8th day marks the covenant faithfulness to God’s promises given to Abram/Abraham that Israel and the people of God would one day worship Him without fear of any enemies. We have all been God’s enemies, and the birth, death, and resurrection of the Lord Messiah takes away that enmity in us against Him, and we glorify Him, who is seated on the Throne!

So, to summarize:

All of the New Years have to do with Jesus Christ, and the celebration of Him by those who are God’s chosen and elect. They quicken an expectation of what God will do, based on what He has promised and has already done:

1. Yeshua’s Death and Resurrection: The Lamb of God was slain to redeem His people and set them free to serve YHVH God, and Him only. He was slain before the foundation of the world, according to the perfect plan of God. And this Lamb rose from among the dead to everlasting life to enjoy the fruit of His suffering and sacrifice! Israel’s calendar begins with YHVH God’s redeeming them from slavery that they may know and serve Him.

2. Yeshua’s Coming Again: All who are born-again through faith in the atoning sacrificial death of Jesus begin a new life unto God. Israel as a nation still has this promise before them when Yeshua returns to save “all Israel”, the preserved remnant from all the tribes who will see Him whom they pierced, and afflict their souls for all their unfaithfulness and unfounded hatred toward Him and the Father. And the Body of Messiah has the hope of the Lord’s return and the resurrection of their bodies, to rule and reign with Him during His kingdom on Earth.

3. Yeshua’s Birth: His coming into the world in the flesh, born in order to be our Redeemer – to be the Lamb of God — who died to declare God’s Sovereign righteousness regarding sin, and His grace toward human sinners. Peace on Earth, goodwill towards mankind!

These three New Years center around the birth, the death and resurrection, and the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. For the people of God, they mark natural birth, death, redemption by new birth through faith by the Holy Spirit, and the return of the Lord. These three events are each memorialized with a ‘new song’: the song of Moses, the song of Mary, and the song of the 144,000 redeemed from the Earth. They mark progressive time as the Sovereign Lord of history continues onward bringing to pass all that must be. Till now, the Holy Spirit is bringing all to pay homage to the Son, whether they realize it or not, and whether they rejoice in it or not in fellowship with other worshipers of God in spirit and truth!